As testimonies continued in his trial, jurors were told Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was allegedly paid $20,000 by his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura’s parents out of fear for their daughter’s wellbeing.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs was allegedly paid $20,000 by his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura’s parents out of fear for their daughter’s wellbeing.
The 55-year-old rapper’s New York trial is continuing after he was accused of federal crimes including sex trafficking and racketeering, and Cassie’s mother Regina Ventura made the claim as witnesses continued to give testimony against the Bad Boy Records founder on Tuesday. (20.05.25)
Regina, 63, was testifying after singer Cassie, 38, gave a detailed testimony last week, and said she feared for her daughter’s safety when she was with the performer.
Cassie has accused Combs of abuse throughout their relationship, which began in the mid-2000s when she was 19 and he was 36.
According to Regina, the alleged $20,000 payment was made after Combs allegedly demanded compensation for expenses he had incurred on Cassie while he was “angry that she had had a relationship with Scott Mescudi” – better known as rapper Kid Cudi.
She testified: “It was understood that he was going to need $20,000 to recoup money he had spent on her because he had been angry that she had had a relationship with Scott Mescudi.
“He was angry that he had spent money on her and she had been with another person.”
Regina also told the court she and her husband, Rodrick Ventura, 65, took out a home equity loan to raise the money.
And she said she became aware of abuse Cassie was experiencing at the hands of Combs and documented physical marks on her daughter’s body.
“I wanted to make sure we memorialised it,” she said.
Cassie last week testified she struggled to open up fully to her mother but admitted Regina had “mother’s intuition”.
She described an incident in which her mother called to ask if a blind item about a celebrity assault was about her.
“I didn’t tell my mom the truth because I was ashamed,” she said – adding: “I didn’t want to put my mother in danger of knowing anything of that magnitude.”
Cassie also testified her mother once called the police out of concern after a fight with Combs over infidelity.
In a 2007 interview with the New York Times, Cassie had said: “My parents raised me right. I work hard, and I want to prove I deserve what I have. I talk to them every day.”
Cassie’s testimony described a controlling and abusive relationship with Combs.
She alleged he forced her into drug-fuelled sex acts with escorts — which she referred to as “Freak-Offs” — and that these sessions could last for days.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex-trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs ‘was paid $20,000 by ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura’s parents out of fear for their daughter’s wellbeing’
