NEW YORK – The federal sex-trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs took a dark and disturbing turn Tuesday as his former girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, delivered chilling testimony detailing years of alleged abuse, control, and forced participation in what she described as elaborately orchestrated “freak-off” sex parties. Ventura, visibly emotional and pregnant as she took the stand, painted a stark picture of her decade-long, on-again-off-again relationship with the music mogul, portraying him as a controlling figure who allegedly used his power and influence to coerce her into degrading sexual acts.
Ventura, 38, met Combs in 2005 when she was 19 and he was 37, shortly before he signed her to his Bad Boy Records label. What began as a promising professional relationship soon morphed into a deeply personal and, according to Ventura’s testimony, increasingly oppressive one. Under direct questioning from the prosecution, Ventura recounted instances of frequent physical abuse, describing how Combs would allegedly “mash me in the head, knock me over, drag me, kick me. Stomp me in the head if I was down,” leaving her with bruises and black eyes.
However, the most unsettling aspect of Ventura’s testimony centered on the “freak-offs” – marathon, drug-fueled sexual encounters that she claims Combs orchestrated and directed, often involving paid male sex workers. Sighing heavily and pausing to compose herself at times, Ventura described how these highly orchestrated events, allegedly stemming from Combs’ voyeuristic interests, could last anywhere from 36 to 72 hours, with the longest stretching to four days.
“Freak-offs became a job where there was no space to do anything else but to recover and just try to feel normal again,” Ventura testified, her voice at times barely a whisper. She claimed that Combs would pressure her to participate by creating an environment where she felt she couldn’t refuse, fueled by a fear of violence and the alleged existence of “blackmail materials” – videos of these encounters that she worried would be made public if she disobeyed.
Ventura detailed the logistics of these alleged “freak-offs,” explaining how Combs tasked her with hiring and vetting male escorts through online platforms like Craigslist and Cowboys for Angels, often specifying that they be Black men. She stated that she was instructed to tell the escorts that her “husband” was into voyeurism and wanted to watch her with another man. The escorts were allegedly paid significant sums, ranging from $1,500 to $6,000 per encounter, with some even flown to various locations to participate.
Adding a disturbing layer to her testimony, Ventura claimed that drugs, including ecstasy and cocaine allegedly provided by Combs, were used to keep her and others awake and compliant during these prolonged events. “It was a way to not feel it for what it really was,” she said, describing the act of having sex with strangers she didn’t desire.
The prosecution presented still images from the now-infamous 2016 security camera footage, which allegedly shows Combs assaulting Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. Asked about the events leading up to the altercation captured on video, Ventura stated, “We were having an encounter called a ‘freak-off’ and I was leaving there.”
Ventura’s testimony also highlighted the pervasive control Combs allegedly exerted over nearly every aspect of her life, from her career and appearance to who she could speak to. She recounted instances where Combs would have his staff track her down if she didn’t respond to his messages immediately. “Control was everything,” she stated.
Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, sat stoically in the courtroom as his former partner delivered her emotionally charged account. His defense team has argued that while Combs may have had “flawed” relationships, the sexual acts were consensual and that the case is a “money grab” fueled by numerous civil lawsuits.
The trial is expected to continue throughout the week, with Ventura’s testimony anticipated to last several days. Her detailed and often graphic account has already cast a stark light on the allegations against Combs, leaving the jury and the public to grapple with the disturbing picture she has painted of her relationship with the once-untouchable music mogul. The outcome of this trial could have far-reaching implications, not only for Combs’ legacy but also for the broader conversation surrounding power dynamics and abuse within the entertainment industry.