Casandra “Cassie” Ventura recently testified in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing sex trafficking trial, revealing she accepted a $20 million settlement from the rapper after filing a lawsuit in November 2023. The lawsuit accused Combs of physical and sexual abuse during their relationship, including a 2018 rape allegation, which he denied. The case was settled just one day after filing.

Cassie explained in court that she had been planning a book and wanted compensation “for the time and the pain and the many, many years of having to try to fix my life.” Despite the payout, she says she took the stand “to do the right thing.”

The lawsuit described Combs as a “serial domestic abuser” who gave Cassie drugs and alcohol, contributing to her addictions. Combs’ lawyer called the claims “baseless,” accusing Cassie of blackmail. Her attorney countered that she rejected an earlier offer and chose to speak out for other women.

Reflecting on her past, Cassie said: “I can’t carry the shame, the guilt… I was guided to treat people like they were disposable.”