In a surprising and swift turn of events, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and singer Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura, have reached a settlement just one day after explosive allegations were made in a lawsuit filed by Cassie.
The singer accused Diddy of rape, sex trafficking, and physical abuse in a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The resolution was announced in a joint statement released on Friday through attorney Douglas Wigdor, though the terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Cassie, in her statement on Friday, expressed her decision to resolve the matter amicably, stating, “I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control. I want to thank my family, fans, and lawyers for their unwavering support.” In a separate statement, Diddy remarked, “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”
The lawsuit, seeking unspecified monetary damages of $30 million, targeted Combs and his associated companies, including Bad Boy Entertainment, Bad Boy Records, Combs Enterprises, LLC, and Epic Records. Cassie alleged that she was trafficked, raped, and brutally assaulted by Diddy over the course of a decade, starting when she was 19.
Cassie’s decision to come forward was driven by a desire to speak out on behalf of herself and other women facing violence and abuse in relationships. She highlighted the significance of the impending expiration of New York’s Adult Survivors Act as a motivating factor to share her traumatic experiences.
Diddy vehemently denied the allegations, branding them as “offensive and outrageous” in a statement. He accused Cassie of extortion, asserting that she had demanded $30 million over the past six months under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship.
The settlement spares both parties from a potentially tumultuous trial, avoiding public legal discovery and cross-examination in the courtroom. Attorney Douglas Wigdor, representing Cassie, commended his client for her courage in coming forward with her claims.
In response to the settlement, Ben Brafman, Diddy’s lawyer, clarified that settling a lawsuit does not equate to an admission of wrongdoing. He emphasized that Diddy’s decision to settle does not undermine his denial of the claims and wished Cassie the best in a statement to USA TODAY on Saturday.
The quick resolution leaves many questions unanswered, and the terms of the settlement will remain confidential, concluding a chapter that unfolded dramatically within a matter of days.
