Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura has finished her fourth and final day of testimony in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex-trafficking trial.
As Ventura’s testimony ended, she told prosecutor Emily Johnson she’d return the $20 million settlement from her 2023 civil lawsuit if she “never had to have ‘freak offs.’” Ventura previously testified that “freak offs” involved her having sex with other men at Combs’s direction, often while using drugs.
“If I never had to have ‘Freak Offs,’ I would have had agency and autonomy,” Ventura said through tears. “And I wouldn’t have had to work so hard to get it back.”
Ventura’s testimony ended Friday afternoon. The prosecution called Special Agent Yasin Binda to testify about Combs’s 2024 arrest. Then, Dawn Richard was on the stand.
Richard is Combs’s former bandmate who sued him last year for physical and sexual abuse. Richard testified she once watched Combs beat Ventura.
Combs is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges. Combs was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused, and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024. Combs has denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
Key Points
- Cassie Ventura returns to stand for final time today
- Tearful Cassie Ventura testifies she'd give back her $20 million in exchange for never having done a 'freak off'
- Cassie Ventura testifies Diddy would take her phone, passport when he was mad
- Justin Bieber breaks silence on speculation he was a Sean 'Diddy' Combs victim
- Key takeaways from Ventura's testimony Thursday
Cassie’s testimony, baby oil and ‘freak offs’: The key moments from the first week of Diddy’s trial
23:22 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura, the star witness in the federal sex trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, ended her testimony Friday after four days of explosive and harrowing claims about the former couple’s decade-long relationship.
Read this week’s recap from Erin Keller and Kelly Rissman:
Judge frustrated with defense over suggestion Cassie's questioning would continue to next week
09:12 , James LiddellJudge Arun Subramanian became riled when the defense suggested that its question of Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, who is eight months pregnant, might extend to next week.
“In what universe did you not understand this was important?” he probed, in reference to having Ventura finish testifying this week.
Ventura is due to continue being cross-examined in Friday’s hearing, which is scheduled to resume at Manhattan federal court at 9.30 a.m.
Cassie Ventura expected to return to stand for final time today
09:17 , James LiddellCasandra “Cassie” Ventura is expected to return to the witness stand for a fourth and final time to face further cross-examination.
The defense tried to argue that Ventura willingly participated in the drug-dazed marathon sex sessions, known as “freak-offs,” confronting Ventura about dozens of text messages between her and Combs, many explicit, on Thursday.
Pressed on the couple’s drug use, Ventura said that they were dependent on opiates. Defense attorney Anna Estevao asked questions about the symptoms of drug withdrawal – a seeming attempt to connect Combs’ behavior with his recovery.
It comes after days of the star witness’ bombshell testimony accusing Sean Combs of rape, blackmail, sexual degradation, psychological manipulation and physical abuse.
Justin Bieber breaks silence on speculation he was a Diddy victim
09:18 , James LiddellPop star Justin Bieber has broken his silence amid speculation on social media that he was a victim of Sean “Diddy” Combs.
A representative for Bieber told TMZ on Thursday: “Although Justin is not among Sean Combs’ victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him.”
They continued: “Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve.”
Speculation swirled online as videos of joint appearances by the pair resurfaced from when Bieber was still a teenager, some fifteen years ago, that included allusions to sexual acts.
Oliver O’Connell has the story.
Justin Bieber breaks silence on speculation he was a Diddy victim
Defense ended Thursday's hearing with text messages around 2016 hotel incident
09:22 , James LiddellCombs’s defense attorney Anna Estevao ended Thursday’s cross-examination by showing the jury explicit text messages between Cassie Ventura and Sean Combs in March 2016.
The pair were planning the “freak-off” that led up to an alleged assault at an InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. Footage of the 2016 incident, which was released publicly last year by CNN, shows Combs hitting and kicking Ventura.
“We can have fun, I don’t want you thinking I don’t want to,” Ventura texted Combs.
Ventura previously testified she went along with “freak offs” throughout their relationship because she was afraid Combs would hurt her or release footage from the encounters.
“Freak offs” involved Ventura having sex with other men at Combs’s direction, typically while taking drugs, she said.
The celebrities mentioned during Diddy’s sex trafficking trial
09:31 , James LiddellThe sex-trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs continues in Manhattan federal court Friday, after, earlier this week, jurors heard testimony that mentioned a few A-list stars.
The list of 190 celebrities spans beloved Hollywood actors and elite musicians who may be referenced during the trial, including Michael B. Jordan, Mike Myers and Kanye West, among others, according to Variety.
Isabel Keane looks at the celebrities who may be referenced during the trial:
The celebrities mentioned during Diddy’s sex trafficking trial
Diddy overdosed at a Playboy Mansion party, Ventura says
09:37 , James LiddellSean “Diddy” Combs allegedly overdosed on opioids while partying at the Playboy Mansion in 2012, shortly after the death of music legend Whitney Houston, his former girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura revealed Thursday.
“That evening, we had a freak-off. We went to a sex club in San Bernardino. And then he had a party at the Playboy Mansion that night, and I went home,” Ventura alleged.
“From what he told me, he took a really strong opioid that night. But we didn’t know what happened, so we took him to the hospital.”
In sketches: Day three of Cassie Ventura at the witness stand
09:42 , James Liddell
Key takeaways from Cassie Ventura’s cross-examination Thursday
10:06 , James LiddellCasandra “Cassie” Ventura returned to Manhattan federal court Thursday to testify for a third consecutive day against her former boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs.
In its cross-examination of Ventura, the prosecution’s star witness, the defense confronted her about a raft of text messages and emails, many explicit, between her and Combs.
They hoped to poke holes in the prosecution’s argument that Ventura was coerced into drug-dazed marathon sex sessions by Combs and that the exchanges would show that she willingly participated in the infamous “freak-offs.”
“I can’t wait to stare,” Ventura wrote in one 2009 conversation shown to the court, adding a description of genitalia.
“I want you to get real hott,” Combs responded, before Ventura replied that she wanted “it to be uncontrollable.”
Pressed on the couple’s drug use, Ventura said that they were dependent on opiates. Defense attorney Anna Estevao asked questions about the symptoms of drug withdrawal – a seeming attempt to connect Combs’ behavior with his recovery.
Ventura also alleged Combs overdosed on opioids while partying at the Playboy Mansion in 2012.
Judge Arun Subramanian became riled when the defense suggested that its questioning of Ventura, who is eight months pregnant, might extend to next week.
The prosecution indicated one of the next witnesses will be singer Dawn Richard, who sued Combs over accusations that he threatened and groped her, and flew into “frenzied, unpredictable rages.”
Who might be next at the witness stand?
10:22 , James LiddellAfter the jury left Thursday, prosecutors informed the court that they would like to bring more witnesses to the stand Friday, including singer Dawn Richard.
Richard was a vocalist for the girl group Danity Kane, which Sean Combs formed in 2005 on the set of his MTV reality competition show Making the Band 3.
Richard filed a lawsuit against the 55-year-old hip-hop mogul in September and accused him of sexual and physical abuse throughout the eight years they worked together.
Richard alleges she witnessed Combs get physically violent with his ex-partners Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and Kim Porter, amongst other women.
Combs has denied Richard’s allegations and any wrongdoing. Combs retorted that Richard was seeking “a payday — conveniently timed to coincide with her album release and press tour.”
It’s unclear if she’ll take the witness stand today.
Watch: Which Celebrities have been mentioned during Diddy's trial?
10:50 , James LiddellDiddy’s defense struck right tone, legal analyst says
11:20 , James LiddellDefense attorney Anna Estevao tediously went through years of text exchanges between Sean Combs and Cassie Ventura.
Confrontations, however, didn’t reach the aggression levels often seen from defense lawyers cross-examining a star witness.
The attorney even shared pleasantries with Ventura and made remarks about her beauty and charm, leaving the witness, at one point, to respond: “Thank you.”
Former federal prosecutor Sarah Krissoff told the BBC that Sean Comb’s defense attorney Anna Estevao struck the right tone by not appearing too aggressive and putting off jurors.
Krisoff said the defense was trying to show the jury that it was a toxic and sometimes violent relationship but not a case of sex trafficking or racketeering.
In pictures: 'Erratic' Diddy fan detained after 'threatening violence' outside court
11:51 , James Liddell
Cassie’s attorney says client doing ‘great job’ in ‘very-long’ cross-examination
12:21 , James LiddellCassandra “Cassie” Ventura’s attorney praised his client for doing a “great job” in cross-examination and hopes that she can close “this entire chapter” of her life by the end of Friday’s hearing.
“I’m not going to opine on what the jury’s thinking but I think that Cassie’s doing a great job on cross-examination, a very long cross-examination,” attorney Douglas Wigdor told reporters after Thursday’s hearing drew to a close.
“Hopefully it ends tomorrow… so hopefully she can be done by the end of the week and put this entire chapter of her life behind her.”
Judge hopes to wrap up Ventura's cross-examination by midday
12:53 , James LiddellCassie Ventura’s cross-examination is scheduled to continue in just a matter of hours.
Judge Arun Subramanian directed Sean Combs’ defense attorneys to conclude their cross-examination by midday.
“The direct took a day and a half, so the defense will have a day and a half,” he said Thursday afternoon. “So you have today (Thursday), you have the morning tomorrow.”
Subramanian became riled when the defense suggested that its questioning of Ventura, who is eight-and-a-half months pregnant, might extend to next week.
“In what universe did you not understand this was important?” he probed, referring to cross-examination coming to a close by the end of Friday.
They've sat through hours of bombshell testimony. But who are the jurors?
13:21 , James LiddellAs Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s testimony is expected to draw to a close later today, jurors have spent hours listening to her bombshell testimony at the witness stand.
Who are the twelve members of the jury who will eventually decide the fate of Sean “Diddy” Combs?
On Monday, eight men and four women from New York were selected to sit for Comb’s federal sext trafficking and racketeering trial, which is expected to last at least eight weeks.
Their ages range from their 30s to 74, and they live across Manhattan, the Bronx and neighboring Westchester County.
They hail from a variety of professions, including an investment analyst, a massage therapist and a physician assistant.
Several of the younger jurors said they listen to hip-hop and R&B music, genres aligned with Combs. Some said they were familiar with a video released by CNN last year of Combs assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016.
Diddy, Justin Bieber and the ‘crazy 48 hours’
13:41 , James LiddellAs the trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs continues in New York, attention is turning to the rapper and music mogul’s relationships with other celebrities, particularly Canadian superstar Justin Bieber.
Combs, 55, is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges after being arrested in September last year. He has denied any accusations of wrongdoing and rejected a government plea deal offer.
Bieber, now 31, frequently appeared alongside Diddy when he was a teen pop idol but moved on Thursday to dismiss online speculation that he too might have been abused by Combs.
Joe Sommerlad looks at the origins of the relationship between the former teen idol and “Big Brother Puff”:
A history of Diddy’s relationship with Justin Bieber as singer denies being ‘victim’
Cassie Ventura to return to stand soon
14:00 , James LiddellCassie Ventura is set to return to the witness stand, possibly for the final time this week at Manhattan federal court, as she faces further examination by Sean Combs’ legal team.
Judge Arun Subramanian wants to wrap the cross-examination up quickly, directing the defense team to finish by midday. Both sides have tentatively agreed to conclude Ventura’s testimony by lunch, although it could run for most of the day. A rebuttal from prosecutors will follow.
Testimony is scheduled to resume at 9.30 a.m.
Who will testify today?
14:07 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura is set to return to the witness stand today to finish her cross-examination.
Judge Arun Subramanian warned the defense team to end their questioning by midday.
After Ventura is dismissed, prosecutors will call Dawn Richard to the stand, they told Subramanian yesterday. Richard sued Sean “Diddy” Combs last year, alleging years of physical and sexual abuse. Richard also says she saw Combs abuse Ventura.
Read more about the lawsuit:
Diddy sued by former bandmate Dawn Richard who claims he ‘brutally beat’ Cassie
Defense and prosecution squabble over Cassie Ventura's testimony
14:11 , Katie HawkinsonProsecutors are warning that Cassie Ventura must finish her testimony today because she’s eight months pregnant and could go into labor as soon as this weekend.
This comes after Sean “Diddy” Combs’s defense team accused prosecutors of purposely delaying Ventura’s testimony so the defense would have less cross-examination time.
But prosecutors argue the defense wants Ventura to return Monday so Combs can review the transcripts and help prepare additional questions over the weekend.
Prosecutors also warned that a mistrial is possible if Ventura goes into labor before her testimony is over.
Cassie Ventura's husband arrives for her fourth day of testimony
14:20 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura’s husband Alex Fine has arrived at Manhattan federal court for her fourth — and likely final — day of testimony in Sean “Diddy” Combs’s sex trafficking trial.
Defense can cross-examine until later this afternoon
14:32 , Katie HawkinsonThe defense can cross-examine star witness Cassie Ventura until 4:30 p.m. today, after which the prosecution will have 30 minutes to re-direct.
Judge Arun Subramanian previously said the defense needs to end their questioning by midday.
Defense wants to show video of Diddy talking about God from rehad
14:37 , Katie HawkinsonSean “Diddy” Combs’s attorneys want to show Cassie Ventura a video he sent her from rehab just weeks after the alleged 2016 Intercontinental Hotel assault.
The defense wants to show Ventura the video because she previously testified that Combs didn’t go to rehab while they were together.
The video shows Combs on a hike in the woods talking about God. The judge said the defense can have Ventura watch it, but the jury can’t consider it evidence.
Cassie Ventura takes the stand
14:38 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura has taken the stand for her final day of testimony.
Cassie Ventura says Diddy was 'intoxicated' during hotel incident
14:46 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura told the defense team Sean “Diddy” Combs was “intoxicated” when he allegedly assaulted her inside a Los Angeles Intercontinental Hotel in 2016.
Footage of the incident, which was released publicly last year, shows Combs hitting and kicking her.
Defense attorney Anna Estevao asked Ventura if she had previously told investigators that Combs was “black out.”
Ventura said she believes “he was intoxicated” and said everyone perceives black outs differently.
Jury reads texts from Cassie to Diddy describing abuse
14:48 , Katie HawkinsonThe jury is hearing a text Cassie Ventura sent Sean “Diddy” Combs about his alleged abuse in March 2016.
“When you get f***** up the wrong way you always want to show me that you have the power and you knock me around,” Ventura wrote. “I’m not a rag doll, I’m someone’s child.”
Ventura has spent much of the week testifying about Combs’s physical and sexual abuse. The 38-year-old previously said she only went along with his “freak offs” because she was afraid he’d hurt her or release footage from the encounters.
Defense reveals texts from Cassie and Diddy after alleged hotel assault
15:03 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura and Sean “Diddy” Combs discussed their altercation at the InterContinental Hotel just days after it happened, according to texts shown in court.
The exchange began with Combs asking Ventura to have sex.
“Not a good vibe,” Ventura responded. “We need a different vibe than Friday.”
“F*** Friday lol” Combs wrote back. “I don’t even want to do that again.”
“Lol true,” she responded.
The two ended the exchange by saying they loved each other.
Cassie Ventura testifies Diddy would take her phone, passport when he was mad
15:16 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs would take her phone and passport away when he was angry, particularly over other men in her life.
“If I was with anyone else besides him,” she said. “I don’t know that I would call it cheating.”
“When you’re not with somebody, it’s not cheating,” she added. “I feel like it’s a technicality in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship.”
Jury hears audio of Cassie Ventura threatening a man over 'freak off' videos
15:38 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura appeared to have threatened a man whom she believed secretly took a video of her during a “freak off.”
Ventura previously testified that “freak offs” involved her having sex with other men at Sean “Diddy” Combs’s direction, typically after taking drugs.
“I’m going to kill you, and then he’s gonna kill you again,” Ventura says in the audio recording.
Ventura testified that she and Combs were both concerned about sexually explicit videos of them leaking.
It’s not clear how the situation was resolved.
Cassie Ventura details mental health treatment after Diddy relationship
15:58 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura said she attended a 45-day, inpatient mental health treatment program in 2023.
Ventura told defense attorney Anna Estevao she underwent neurofeedback therapy, which involves monitoring a patient’s brain wave patterns, Inner City Press reports. Ventura said she was told the therapy would “help me with my trauma.”
She also did EMDR therapy, in which a patient moves their eyes side-to-side while recalling traumatic or upsetting memories.
Court on short break
16:15Court is on a short break as Sean “Diddy” Combs’s defense team steps out to get their exhibits in order.
Combs has remained at the defense table. His sons and sister are in court, CNN reports.
Meanwhile, Cassie Ventura is wearing a pinstripe suit as she testifies. Her husband, Alex Fine, is also in court.
Jury sees April 2010 texts about 'freak offs'
16:39 , Katie HawkinsonDefense attorney Anna Estevao showed the jury a series of April 2010 texts between Cassie Ventura and Sean “Diddy” Combs about a “freak off,” according to CNN.
“I want to talk to you about something tomorrow,” Ventura wrote. “Going to sleep. Love you.”
“Is it going to stress me out?” Combs wrote. “What is it about?”
Ventura responded: “Freak-off. It can wait. It’s not a big deal.”
“Now you don’t want to do it anymore,” Combs said. “Oh, I already know. You so predictable.”
“Really? OK,” Ventura wrote. “Since that’s definitely what it was, we’ll leave it at that then, since I’m so predictable. Have a good night.”
Combs then accused Ventura of shutting him down, to which she responded, “I’m not shutting you down...it’s always the other way around.”
Courtrooms sketches show Cassie Ventura's testimony and Diddy hugging attorney
16:54New courtroom sketches from Friday morning show Cassie Ventura undergoing cross-examination from defense attorney Anna Estevao.
Another sketch shows Sean “Diddy” Combs hugging Estevao as he entered the courtroom this morning.
Cassie Ventura says she doesn't 'hate' Diddy
17:04 , Katie HawkinsonDefense attorney Anna Estevao asked Cassie Ventura if she hates Sean “Diddy” Combs after their relationship.
“I don’t hate him,” Ventura testified.
Cassie Ventura broke up with Diddy after seeing photo of him with another woman: 'Nail in the coffin'
17:11 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura broke up with Sean “Diddy” Combs in August 2018 after she saw a photo of him with a woman identified in court as Gina.
“I just don’t trust anymore,” she texted Combs. “That last shot put the nail in the coffin.”
“I promised myself I wouldn’t be with you anymore if you did that to me again,” she added.
Ventura said Combs was dating Gina for the last few years of their relationship.
Defense zeros in on rape allegations as lunch break called
17:40 , Katie HawkinsonSean “Diddy” Combs’s defense attorneys are zeroing in on Cassie Ventura’s texts with the music mogul after he allegedly raped her in August 2018, The Washington Post reports.
“I don’t want to have a conversation where you break up with me again, I want you to love me, I need you to love me,” Combs wrote in one September 2018 text shown by the defense.
Ventura and Combs then said they would see each other and “embrace.”
Shortly afterward, the judge called a recess for lunch.
Cassie Ventura returns to stand as defense attorney signals she's nearly done
18:42 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura has returned to the stand after a lunch break. Defense attorney Anna Estevao told Ventura she’s almost done with her cross-examination.
Mid-day recap: Cassie Ventura testifies for final day
18:46 , Kelly RissmanCassie Ventura, wearing a blue collared shirt and gray pinstripe suit, has pushed back on multiple characterizations of her on the final day of her testimony.
One of the biggest takeaways so far is the timeline of the alleged 2018 rape. In her civil lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, Ventura said he raped her in September 2018. But now, she’s telling the court he raped her in August 2018.
The defense has yet to explicitly call out this inconsistency.
Another big moment included the audio recording of Ventura threatening to kill a man she believed secretly recorded her during a “freak off.”
At times, Ventura has pressed her hand against her baby bump. She also grimaced when going over 2018 texts.
Meanwhile, Combs has written notes to his lawyers and put his glasses on to read exhibits. He appears to be wearing white.
The defense will finish their cross-examination this afternoon.
Cassie Ventura's 'final straw' came in November 2018
18:56 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura said her “final straw” with Sean “Diddy” Combs came in November 2018, when he said another woman was his soulmate.
Combs had dated the woman during their decade-long relationship.
“I didn’t see him again after that,” she testified.
Cassie Ventura's cross-examination ends
19:01 , Katie HawkinsonThe defense has no more questions for Cassie Ventura.
Prosecutors now have the opportunity to ask Ventura more questions before she is dismissed.
Post-break-up texts between Cassie and Diddy revealed
19:03 , Katie HawkinsonThe jury is reading a series of texts between Cassie Ventura and Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2019 and 2020, years after they parted ways, CNN reports.
In spring 2019, Combs told Ventura he was “sending her love.” Ventura said she was pregnant at the time.
“Congratulations Cass I truly am happy for you, you’re going to make a beautiful mother god bless,” Combs added.
Then, in March 2020, Combs texted Ventura again: “Miss my best friend, hope you’re well.”
Ventura texted back that she hoped he was well, too.
“Thank you so much for responding, it really means a lot more than you know,” Combs responded. “Sending you nothing but love and light always. Please know I’m always here if you need me.”
Cassie Ventura testifies Diddy was 'kind' at times, but it never lasted
19:15 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura testified that Sean “Diddy” Combs had his kind moments, but they never lasted.
“Were there periods during which Sean was kind and loving?” prosecutor Emily Johnson asked as part of her redirect examination.
Ventura said there were.
“Did those periods ever last?” Johnson asked.
“No,” Ventura responded.
“When Sean wasn’t happy anymore, it affected everybody around him,” she added.
“If Sean was in the mood for a ‘freak off,’ my work would take the back seat. That would mean my career not being paid attention to because I had to do the other thing.”
Cassie Ventura says she 'felt like a sex worker'
19:31 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura told prosecutor Emily Johnson she “felt like a sex worker” and said her relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs stunted her music career.
“I had a whole other job...basically a sex worker,” she testified.
Ventura added she “couldn’t do many of the things I wanted to do” because of Combs’s “freak offs.”
The defense objected to Ventura’s “sex worker” remark, and the judge said it must be struck from the record.
Cassie Ventura says she told Diddy 'more than once' she didn't want 'freak offs'
19:44Cassie Ventura told prosecutor Emily Johnson she was initially open to Sean “Diddy” Combs’s “freak offs,” according to Inner City Press.
But Ventura said she later told him “more than once” she didn’t want to do them anymore.
“What concerns did you have about saying no to ‘freak offs?’” Johnson asked.
“Safety, career, love,” Ventura responded.
Prosecutors end redirect, defense gets another chance for questions
19:49 , Katie HawkinsonProsecutor Emily Johnson has ended her redirect examination of Cassie Ventura.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’s attorney Anna Estevao now gets to ask Ventura questions again.
Ventura will likely be dismissed soon.
Tearful Cassie Ventura testifies she'd give back her $20 million in exchange for never having done a 'freak off'
19:57 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura told prosecutors she would give up her $20 million settlement — which Sean “Diddy” Combs paid her in response to a 2023 civil lawsuit — if it meant she would have never had to do a “freak off.”
“I’d give that money back if I never had to have ‘Freak Offs,’” Ventura said as she cried.
“If I never had to have ‘Freak Offs,’ I would have had agency and autonomy,” she added.
Defense asks Cassie Ventura about music industry contacts like Nicki Minaj and Kid Cudi
20:19 , Katie HawkinsonThe defense asked Cassie Ventura about the high-level music industry contacts she got through her relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs.
The contacts include Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi, Rick Ross and Pusha T.
Minutes ago, Ventura said her relationship with Combs stunted her music career.
Cassie Ventura finished testifying
20:21 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura is now done testifying.
The court is on a quick break before the next witness.
From the courtroom: Cassie Ventura breaks down describing impact of 'freak offs'
20:38 , Kelly RissmanCassie Ventura’s voice started cracking this afternoon as she said she would give back the $20 million settlement if she never had to do “freak offs.”
“I wouldn’t have had to work so hard to get it back,” she said of her agency and autonomy.
She then broke down as she was asked about Combs allegedly beating her during the “freak offs.” She moved away from the mic, grabbed tissues and patted her tear-stained cheeks.
Being beaten made her feel “worthless, felt like dirt, like I meant nothing, absolutely nothing,” she testified.
Ventura also said she felt she couldn’t say no to “freak offs.”
“I worried for my safety, my career, but also I was in love with him so I worried he wouldn’t want to be with me anymore,” she said.
Ventura repeatedly said she felt like “freak offs” were her job. She described herself as a “sex worker,” but the judge said to strike that from the record.
Prosecutors also tried to remind jurors about the consequences Ventura faced from the “freak offs,” such as alleged beatings from Combs and frequent infections. Ventura herself also reminded the jurors of the emotional impact as she broke down on the stand.
Cassie Ventura reveals $10 million settlement from InterContinental Hotel
20:45 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura revealed she’s receiving a $10 million settlement from a Los Angeles InterContinental Hotel, where Sean “Diddy” Combs was caught on camera assaulting her in 2016.
Ventura said earlier this month she had settled with the company.
Read more about the bombshell video released publicly last year:
Diddy seen in shocking video punching and kicking girlfriend Cassie in hotel hallway
Cassie Ventura gives statement after testimony
20:52 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura issued a statement following her testimony through her attorney, Douglas Wigdor.
“This week has been extremely challenging, but also remarkably empowering and healing for me,” Ventura’s statement reads. “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 abuse and fear.”
“The more I heal, the more I can remember, and the more I can remember, the more I will never forget,” she added.
“I'm glad to put this chapter of my life to rest as I turn to focus on the conclusion of my pregnancy.”
Ventura's husband praises her testimony: 'Cassie saved Cassie'
20:56 , Katie HawkinsonCassie Ventura’s husband Alex Fine praised her testimony in a statement read by her attorney, Douglas Wigdor.
“Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife freeing herself and her past,” Fine said.
“There has been speculation online surrounding how it must feel for me to sit there and listen to my wife's testimony,” his statement continued. “I have felt so many things sitting there. I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cassie.”
“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.”
Fine went on to reject the idea that he helped save her from Sean “Diddy” Combs.
“I did not save Cassie, as someone said. To say that is an insult to the years of painful work my wife has done to save herself,” he said. “Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats.”
Special agent who helped arrest Diddy takes the stand
21:02Special Agent Yasin Binda has taken the stand.
Binda works for Homeland Security Investigations in the human trafficking unit. She managed the logistics of Sean “Diddy” Combs’s September 2024 arrest.
Binda describes hotel raid that led to Diddy arrest
21:15 , Katie HawkinsonSpecial Agent Yasin Binda told the jury about the 2024 raid that ended with Sean “Diddy” Combs’s arrest.
Agents raided Combs’s hotel room at the Park Hyatt in September, she said. He was arrested in the Manhattan hotel’s lobby.
Binda then went inside a multi-room unit inside the hotel to collect evidence.
Special agent found baby oil, drugs in Diddy's hotel room
21:25Special Agent Yasin Binda found “several” bottles of baby oil, as well as ketamine and MDMA, inside Sean “Diddy” Combs’s hotel room last year.
Cassie Ventura previously testified that Combs would ask her to use large amounts of baby oil during their “freak offs.” He once filled a baby pool with the oil, she testified.
Jury shown photos of Combs's hotel room
21:43 , Katie HawkinsonThe jury was shown photos of the hotel room police raided while arresting Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
These included photos of baby oil and bottles that contained drugs like ketamine and MDMA.
Binda also said it appeared a woman was staying in Combs’s room with him.
Binda leaves the stand, Dawn Richard up next
21:43 , Katie HawkinsonSpecial Agent Yasin Binda has finished testifying about Sean “Diddy” Combs’s arrest.
Dawn Richard, a singer who sued Combs for abuse last year, is now testifying.
Who is Dawn Richard?
21:50 , Katie HawkinsonDawn Richard is a former member of the girl group Danity Kane and Sean “Diddy” Combs’s ex-bandmate.
Richard sued Combs last year, alleging ongoing physical and sexual abuse. The pair worked together from 2004 to 2011.
Richard told the jury she saw Combs hit Cassie Ventura in 2009.
“He came downstairs screaming, belligerent, asking where his food was, and proceeded to hit her over the head, kicked her and beat her to the ground in front of us,” she testified.
Read more about her lawsuit against Combs from The Independent’s Josh Marcus:
Diddy sued by former bandmate Dawn Richard who claims he ‘brutally beat’ Cassie
Dawn Richard testifies Diddy attacked Cassie Ventura in 2009
21:57 , Katie HawkinsonDawn Richard said Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attacked Cassie Ventura in 2009.
“He came downstairs screaming, belligerent, asking where his food was, and proceeded to hit her over the head, kicked her and beat her to the ground in front of us,” she said.
“He proceeded to come over to her and took the skillet with the eggs in it and tried to hit her over the head with it, and she fell to the ground,” she added.
Richard said it “didn’t seem that it hit her fully.” Ventura then went into the fetal position, she said.
Court ends for the week
22:02 , Katie HawkinsonJudge Arun Subramanian has sent the jury home.
Court will resume Monday morning.
Cassie breaks down at the end of bombshell four-day testimony describing pain of Diddy’s alleged ‘freak offs’
22:10 , Katie HawkinsonAn emotional Cassie Ventura ended her bombshell testimony in tears and said she would give back her $20 million settlement with Sean “Diddy” Combs if it meant she never had to take part in his alleged “freak offs.”
Erin Keller and Kelly Rissman have the story:
Cassie breaks down at the end of her bombshell four-day Diddy testimony
