Disgraced rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is scheduled to go to trial on May 5 for sex trafficing, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. His former girlfriend Casandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura is all set to testify against the hip-hop mogul, who is currently behind bars in Brooklyn.
According to People, prosecutors confirmed in a motion filed Friday, April 4, that Cassie, who was previously signed by Diddy, would be testifying under her real name. “She is prepared to testify under her own name,” the filing says of Ventura. Rolling Stone identified her as “Victim-1” in January.
The filing further stated that other alleged victims will remain anonymous throughout the proceedings: “Victim-2, Victim-3, and Victim-4 have asked that their identities not be revealed to the press or the public.”
Per prosecutors’ requests, anonymous victims will be referred to at the Diddy trial using “only pseudonyms.” The defence is also required not to share identifying details about them.
Cassie’s previous lawsuit against Diddy
In November 2023, Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against him in federal court, accusing him of repeated physical abuse over more than a decade. Her serious allegations against Combs suggested that he forced her to have sex with male sex workers while he masturbated and filmed them. Among other accusations, Diddy is also believed to have raped in September 2018. The former couple settled the suit privately in one day, with Combs denying all claim.
However, things flipped against the Bad Boy Records boss’ favour as CNN released a years-old video of a 2016 incident, capturing visual proof of Diddy physically assaulting Cassie in a hotel lobby. In the leaked surveillance footage, the accused is seen brutally beating and kicking his then-girlfriend. Other scenes also show him dragging Ventura on the floor. The footage supports the allegations Cassie levelled against her then-partner in the now-settled lawsuit.
In September 2024, Diddy was indicted on federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has since also been smothered with an ocean of lawsuits, accusing him of sexual assault and other claims. He and has continued to deny any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty. He currently remains in custody at the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Centre.
Diddy’s new sex trafficking charges
A month ahead of his sex trafficking trial, federal prosecutors added two charges to the disgraced rapper’s indictment. The formal charges against the jailed rapper accuse him of using force, fraud or coercion to compel a woman (identified as Victim-2) to engage in commercial sex acts from at least 2021 to 2024, according to AP News.
The indictment further alleges that Diddy was involved in transporting her and other people, including sex workers, to engage in prostitution. With these additions, the total number of charges against Combs rise from three to five. His arraignment on the new charges has yet to be scheduled.