Days after an alleged violent assault by Sean "Diddy" Combs in a Los Angeles hotel, Casandra "Cassie" Ventura received a message from the rapper that stunned jurors in Combs' ongoing federal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial. "I'm so horny for you!!!" Combs texted Ventura, she testified Friday in Manhattan federal court.
The exchange came just days after the May 6, 2016 incident at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, where Ventura says Combs hit her, kicked her while she was curled on the floor, and dragged her back to their room. "You are? What made you feel that way?" she responded, prompting Combs to reply, "Felt that way from Friday," referencing the day of the beating. "What you doing?" he added.
She thought it was a "little strange," Ventura testified, noting she had sustained a black eye and other injuries. "We need a different vibe than Friday," she texted him. "F--- Friday lol," Combs responded. "I don't even want to do that again." Ventura replied, "Lol true."
The shocking testimony came during the fourth day of Ventura's appearance as the prosecution's lead witness in Combs' high-profile trial. The singer and former partner of Combs has accused him of years of abuse, coercion, and surveillance. In her testimony earlier this week, Ventura said Combs "controlled every aspect" of her life during their relationship and coerced her into taking part in what were described as "freak off" sex sessions, which he allegedly filmed.
In a separate revelation Friday, Ventura confirmed that she is set to receive a $10 million settlement from the InterContinental Hotel for failing to protect her during the 2016 beating, which was allegedly captured by the hotel's security cameras. Ventura, who is eight months pregnant with her third child with husband Alex Fine, testified that the settlement comes in addition to a previously settled $20 million civil suit against Combs filed in late 2023.
Her husband, Alex Fine, issued a statement Friday: "To say that is an insult to the years of painful work my wife has done to save herself. Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats."
Combs, arrested in September 2024, has pleaded not guilty to five counts: racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and faces up to life in prison if convicted.
The week began with testimony from Daniel Phillips, a former stripper service manager, who described being paid to have sex with Ventura in front of Combs at the Gramercy Park Hotel. Former hotel security guard Israel Florez also testified Monday.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Ventura recounted years of abuse, including drug-fueled manipulation and forced sex acts. She confirmed her 2023 civil lawsuit was settled for $20 million the day after filing it. "I wanted to be compensated for the time, the pain ... to fix my life," she said.
Thursday's testimony shifted focus to drug use during their relationship. Ventura recalled Combs overdosing in 2012 at the Playboy Mansion. "From what he told me, he took a very strong opiate that night, but we didn't know what was happening, so we took him to the hospital," she told the court.
The day ended with testimony from former "Making the Band" contestant Dawn Richard, who claimed to have witnessed Combs attack Ventura in 2009. Despite objections from the defense, Richard will return to the stand on May 19, though her testimony may be restricted.
Ventura's mother and a former close friend are expected to testify next week. Prosecutors have kept the full witness list confidential due to safety concerns surrounding those testifying against Combs.
