Singer Cassie Ventura on Wednesday broke her silence after her former flame Sean “Diddy” Combs was sentenced to 50 months in prison. He was found guilty of two counts related to prostitution. Ventura, who served as a key witness in the prosecution’s case, testified for four days during the trial, recounting her experiences and the impact of Combs’ actions on her life.
After the indictment, Ventura’s attorney Doug Wigdor shared this statement on her behalf. He said that he was hopeful for her continuing recovery. He said that Ventura’s interference has been an inspiration to others. The emotional toll of her testimony was evident as she described it as “the most traumatic and horrifying chapter in my life.”
In her letter to Judge Arun Subramanian, Ventura implored the judicial officer to consider her experiences. She put the spotlight on the challenges experienced by other survivors. She wrote about her fears for safety and the health of her family. Afraid of retribution from Combs or his friends, she freely moved them out of the New York region, losing jurisdiction over them.
“My worries that Sean Combs or his associates will come after me and my family is my reality,” Ventura stated. “I have in fact moved my family out of the New York area and am keeping as private and quiet as I possibly can because I am so scared that if he walks free, his first actions will be swift retribution towards me and others who spoke up about his abuse at trial.”
“Though she got a bit of justice with the sentencing, Ventura is still dealing with the psychological trauma from her ordeal. I still have nightmares and flashbacks on a regular, everyday basis, and continue to require psychological care to cope with my past,” she shared.
Who is Gloria Allred, the famed attorney who represents alleged victims of Combs. She was especially harsh on the final sentencing, demanding that Combs “should pay dearly for what he committed.” She noted that victims such as Ventura would take some comfort in learning that he would be behind bars for decades.
Ventura’s own story continues on, illustrating the long-term effects of abuse.
