New York/Los Angeles | Lawsuit: US rapper Combs and ex-girlfriend reach an agreement

New York/Los Angeles (dpa) – US rapper Sean Combs (54) and his ex-girlfriend, the singer Cassie, have agreed on a settlement.

Just a day after Cassie, 37, filed a civil lawsuit alleging rape, abuse and assault in federal court in New York, both parties announced they had reached an amicable agreement to settle the case, according to media reports. However, they did not disclose details of the terms of the settlement. Combs had previously denied the allegations through his attorney.

Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, said in a statement that she had decided to resolve this matter amicably “on terms that allow me a degree of control.” She would like to thank her family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support. Combs said: “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family nothing but the best. In love.”

35 page indictment

Combs is thus spared a potentially long, unpleasant trial involving the publication of a great deal of evidence. Ventura, whose allegations are now public, avoids cross-examination by Combs’ lawyers.

The plaintiff had accused Combs of, among other things, sexual abuse, rape, intimidation and physical violence during their years-long relationship. Numerous serious allegations were made in the 35-page indictment.

“After years of silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story,” says a statement from the plaintiff, which is available to the German Press Agency. She wants to talk about the trauma she experienced, also in order to help other victims of violence and abuse in relationships.

Combs denied allegations

Combs strongly denies these “disgusting and outrageous” allegations, said his attorney Ben Brafman. Ventura threatened to write a book about their relationship and demanded $30 million from Combs. The rapper rejected this as “obvious blackmail,” writes Brafman. Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, responded in a statement that Combs offered the singer money to avoid the lawsuit. Ventura rejected this.

According to the lawsuit, Ventura met the then 37-year-old musician in 2005 when she was 19. Combs signed her to his Bad Boy Records label. During their long-term relationship, which ended in 2018, he controlled her with, among other things, drugs, abuse and threats of violence. As part of its lawsuit, Ventura is seeking undisclosed compensation.

Rapper Combs (“Bad Boy for Life”, “I’ll Be Missing You”), who also works as a record producer, actor and businessman, is one of the most successful representatives of the hip-hop industry. At the MTV Video Music Awards in September, Combs was honored with the Global Icon Award as a pioneer and for his influential career.