Cassie Ventura, ex-girlfriend of Sean “Diddy” Combs and one of his accusers, took the stand again today for cross-examination from the defense in her third day of testimony in Combs’ federal criminal trial. The defense team’s cross-examination of Ventura is expected to stretch into Friday, attorneys said.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Anna Estevao asked Ventura about her relationship with Combs while they were dating. The jury saw emails and messages between them, including sexually graphic ones that occurred as they were planning a “Freak Off,” which is what Combs called the drug-fueled sex performances he orchestrated. Ventura testified that she didn’t want Combs’ staff to know about the “Freak Offs” and that she never talked to any of his staff about them.
Ventura detailed the influence Combs had on her physical appearance, saying he had strong opinions about what she wore and controlled her style. “Do you believe that Mr. Combs has good taste?” Estevao asked. “I think he does, yeah,” Ventura responded. Ventura also testified that Combs would call her incessantly if she didn’t answer the phone, saying there were “a million things” that could trigger this behavior.
The prosecution had previously asked Ventura about her civil lawsuit against Combs, in which she alleged he raped her in 2018 and subjected her to years of repeated physical and other abuses over the course of their relationship. Combs denied the allegations. The defense raised the subject again today, asking Ventura if she thought Combs’ career was ruined after the lawsuit became public. “I could understand that, yeah,” Ventura replied.
Ventura testified about her communication with Combs, saying she was more open about her feelings in messages than he was. The jury saw an email Ventura sent Combs in October 2007, where she wrote about the things she liked about him and dreamed of “a beautiful future together.” She also expressed some negative feelings about their relationship.
The jury also viewed text messages between Ventura and Combs from December 2009, where Ventura wrote that she needed to “feel safe, like home” to be “more open with the things we do in bed.” She mentioned that the last “Freak Off” was a mistake and made her feel “a little dirty and grimy.”
Ventura confirmed that she and Combs had conversations about the “swingers’ lifestyle” and eventually saw it in person at sex clubs. She said the “Freak Offs” were related to the “swingers lifestyle” in a sexual way but were “very different.”
Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that include racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to life in prison. The trial is ongoing.