Cassie Ventura and her husband Alex Fine have each released a statement after the conclusion of her testimony in the ongoing Sean “Diddy” Combs sex-trafficking trial.
This week has seen Ventura testify against the rapper in court in connection with the federal investigation into allegations of abuse, trafficking and racketeering by Diddy, her former partner, who is alleged to have spent years subjecting her to brutal sexual violence and abuse.
Over a year ago, Ventura filed a lawsuit against the Bad Boy Records founder for physical assault and rape, and the case was settled the following day despite Diddy denying the claims.
Months later, CNN obtained CCTV footage of Diddy dragging, kicking and hitting Ventura in an LA hotel, lending credence to her allegations. Diddy was later arrested and charged with crimes including sexual trafficking and racketeering, the trial for which began this Monday (May 12).
When testifying against the rapper in court, Ventura shared recollections of alleged physical and emotional abuse experienced at the hands of Combs, with many incidents relating to the so-called “freak-off” sexual encounters that included male escorts.
Courtroom sketch artist captures Cassie taking the witness stand in Diddy’s trial. pic.twitter.com/VsLhgvK7TU
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Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking and racketeering and has denied all other allegations of misconduct levelled against him.
He has also pleaded not guilty to five criminal counts, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has consistently denied all allegations against him and has asserted that all sexual activity described by prosecutors was consensual.
Outside the Manhattan courthouse on Friday (May 16), Ventura’s attorney Douglas Wigdor read statements on behalf of the 38-year-old singer and her husband, who got married in 2018.
“This week has been extremely challenging, but also remarkably empowering and healing for me,” Ventura’s statement read. “I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors, and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from the abuse and fear.”
“For me, the more I heal, the more I can remember. And the more I can remember, the more I will never forget. I want to thank my family and my advocates for their unwavering support, and I’m grateful for all the kindness and encouragement that I have received.”
Cassie’s attorney Doug Wigdor reads a statement from her husband Alex Fine at the conclusion of her four days on the witness stand in the Diddy sex trafficking trial. pic.twitter.com/12pMoHV0qJ
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Concluding her statement, Ventura, who is pregnant with her third child, said she was “glad” to put this chapter of her life to rest, and was now asking for “privacy for me and for my growing family” as she turned her focus to her expanding family.
In his statement, MobLand actor Fine addressed online commentary that suggested he had “saved” Ventura, clarifying that it was she alone that broke free from the alleged “abuse, coercion, violence and threats”.
“Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife freeing herself of her past,” he said. “I have felt so many things sitting there. I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass. I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her.
“So to him and all of those who helped him along the way, please know this: You did not. You did not break her spirit, nor her smile, that lights up every room. You did not break the souls of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls. You did not break the woman who has made me a better man.”
“Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats. She did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her.”
English (US) · 