Just days after filing a shocking lawsuit accusing music mogul and rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs of rape, sexual battery, and sex trafficking, R&B singer Cassie (Casandra Ventura) has halted her legal action, with both parties offering their own statements on the matter.
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Cassie’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, announced the latest developments in a press release on the evening of Friday, November 17, just one day after the New York Times first reported the pending litigation.
Both Cassie and Diddy offered short statements regarding their "amicable" decision on a settlement, with the former saying, “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.” Cassie's attorney also added that neither party would be offering any other statements, and kept the dollar sum of the settlement under wraps.
In his statement, Diddy also explained, “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”
On Saturday (11/18), Diddy’s lawyer, Ben Brafman, provided some additional clarity via email, saying, "Just so we’re clear, a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing... Mr. Combs’ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”
Filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which expires on November 23, Cassie alleged sexual, verbal, and physical abuse over several years, including forced drug use and sex trafficking.
Signed into law in May of 2022 by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, the Adult Survivors Act created a special “one-year look-back window” allowing survivors whose claims fell outside of the statute of limitations, and who were 18 or older when their alleged sexual assault in New York State took place, to file a lawsuit against the person or institution who harmed them.