Producer and musician Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was sued in federal court on Thursday by his former girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, who alleges she was raped and subjected to years of physical and other abuse by Combs.
The Adult Survivor’s Act since last November allows accusers to file civil claims of sexual abuse during a one-year window that otherwise would be barred by the statute of limitations.
Cassie’s suit says that when she was just 19 years old in 2005, Combs, who was then 37, lured the singer into a professional relationship by signing her to his label, Bad Boy Records.
The suit alleges that within several years he induced her to a sexual relationship, and introduced her “to a lifestyle of excessive alcohol and substance abuse” .
The suit claims that Combs raped Cassie in her home after she tried to leave him, “blew up” another man’s car after learning of his romantic interest in the singer, and often beat and kicked her.
In response, a lawyer for Mr. Combs, Ben Brafman, said: “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.
