Singer and actress Cassie settled a lawsuit against her ex-boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs on Friday, according to statements from both parties.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday in New York, accuses Combs of sex trafficking and sexual assault, according to court documents.
“This evening, Ms. Ventura and Mr. Combs resolved to their mutual satisfaction the claims she filed against him yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York,” Cassie’s legal team said in an email late in the day a statement Friday.
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Sean “Diddy” Combs attends the first day of Invest Fest 2023 at the Georgia World Congress Center on August 26, 2023 in Atlanta.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images, FILE
Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, said in a statement Friday evening: “I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on the terms that I have some degree of control. “I would like to thank my family, fans and advocates for their unwavering support.”
Combs said in his own statement: “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Best regards.”
An attorney for Combs issued a statement Saturday saying the decision to settle the lawsuit was not an admission of wrongdoing.
“Just so we are clear: a decision to settle a lawsuit, particularly in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing. Mr. Combs’ decision to settle the dispute in no way undermines his categorical opposition. “He is pleased that they have reached an amicable agreement and wishes Ms. Ventura well,” Ben Brafman said in a statement.
According to the complaint, Ventura claimed the abuse began when she entered into a professional and sexual relationship with Combs when she was just 19 and he was 37.
After signing her to his label, Bad Boy Records, she claims that Combs “lured.” [her] into a flashy, hectic and drug-fuelled lifestyle and into a romantic relationship with him – her boss, one of the most powerful men in the entertainment industry and a vicious, cruel and controlling senior for nearly two decades.”
Cassie attends the London screening of ‘Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story’ at Curzon Mayfair on May 16, 2017 in London, England.
Joe Maher/Getty Images
At the time of filing, Brafman issued a statement on behalf of his client, saying the rapper “vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.”
Douglas Wigdor, Ventura’s attorney, said: “I am very proud of Ms. Ventura for having the strength to go public with her lawsuit. She deserves praise for that.”