Crime
The assertion mentioned that they had reached a deal “to their mutual satisfaction” Friday night, however no phrases of the settlement had been disclosed.
NEW YORK (AP) — A lawsuit by singer Cassie containing allegations of beatings and abuse by music producer Sean “Diddy” Combs has been settled, the artists introduced Friday, someday after the lawsuit was filed.
The settlement was introduced in a press release despatched by legal professional Douglas Wigdor, who represents Cassie, whose full identify is Casandra Ventura.
The assertion mentioned that they had reached a deal “to their mutual satisfaction” Friday night, however no phrases of the settlement had been disclosed and no additional statements can be issued past these made by Ventura, Combs and Wigdor within the e mail distributed by the lawyer.
In her assertion, Ventura mentioned, “I’ve determined to resolve this matter amicably on phrases over which I’ve some stage of management. I need to thank my household, followers and legal professionals for his or her unwavering assist.”
Combs mentioned, “We have now determined to resolve this matter amicably. I want Cassie and her household all one of the best. Love.”
Ben Brafman, an legal professional for Combs, didn’t instantly reply to a message in search of remark. On Thursday, he mentioned in a press release that Combs “vehemently denies” the allegations.
The lawsuit alleged Combs introduced the singer into his “ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled way of life” quickly after she met him and signed to his label in 2005, when she was 19 and he was 37.
Ventura, now 37, mentioned Combs, now 54, started a sample of abuse as quickly as their on-and-off relationship started in 2007.
The lawsuit alleged that “susceptible to uncontrollable rage,” Combs subjected Ventura to “savage” beatings through which he punched, kicked and stomped her. It alleges he plied her with medication and compelled her to have intercourse with different males whereas he masturbated and filmed them.
In accordance with the lawsuit, as Ventura was making an attempt to finish the connection in 2018, Combs compelled her into her Los Angeles house and raped her.
The Related Press doesn’t usually identify individuals who say they’ve been sexually abused until they arrive ahead publicly, as Ventura has.
Combs is among the many most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the previous three many years. The founding father of Dangerous Boy Data and a three-time Grammy winner, he has labored with a slew of top-tier artists, together with Infamous B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Religion Evans and 112.
This 12 months, he launched his fifth studio album, “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” which earned two Grammy nominations this month. It was his first studio album in 17 years.
“The unhealthy boy of leisure is getting the important thing to the town from the unhealthy boy of politics!” Mayor Eric Adams mentioned in September as he introduced a large key to Combs in Instances Sq.. Combs was born in New York Metropolis and raised in close by Mount Vernon.
Ventura gained fame with the Ryan Leslie-produced hit single “Me & U,” which rose to No. 1 on the Billboard Scorching R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart in 2006. It was her solely studio album. As an actor, she was in a number of tasks, together with Fox’s “Empire,” “Step Up 2: The Streets” and “Spenser Confidential.”
Brafman’s assertion on Thursday mentioned Ventura had for the previous six months persistently demanded $30 million whereas threatening to put in writing a harmful e-book about her relationship with Combs. The lawyer mentioned the calls for had been rejected as “blatant blackmail.”
Ventura withdrew the preliminary menace earlier than submitting a lawsuit “riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s popularity and in search of a payday,” Brafman mentioned.
Wigdor responded Thursday in a press release saying Combs had provided her “eight figures to silence her” and stop the lawsuit from being filed.
“She rejected his efforts and determined to provide a voice to all girl that suffer in silence,” Wigdor mentioned.
Wigdor praised his consumer in a press release included in his e mail saying the settlement on Friday.
“I’m very pleased with Ms. Ventura for having the power to go public together with her lawsuit. She must be recommended for doing so,” he mentioned.
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Related Press Author Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles contributed to this report.