Cassie bursts into tears as she recalls ‘escort’s vile act’ & Diddy’s final texts as she’s pressed on $20m payout
SEAN "Diddy" Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura burst into tears moments before concluding her disturbing testimony on day five of Combs' federal sex trafficking trial.
In a heartbreaking moment on the stand, Cassie said she would trade her $20 million settlement from Combs if it meant she never had to endure his drug-fueled sex parties through their 10-year relationship.
A very pregnant Cassie underwent her final day of grueling cross-examination on Friday as the defense tried to prove she willingly engaged in Combs' sick orgies called "freak-offs."
She burst into tears as she recalled a male escort urinating on her and Combs allegedly beating her during the twisted parties where he forced her to have sex with other men while he watched.
When pressed on the stand about the money she received from her lawsuit against Combs, Cassie wiped away tears as she said, "I’d give that money back if I never had to have freak-offs.
"If I never had to have freak-offs, I would have agency and autonomy. I wouldn’t have had to work so hard to get it back.”
Cassie testified that she ended her relationship with Combs in 2018, but that the two stayed in touch even after he allegedly raped her while she was dating her now-husband Alex Fine.
Combs reached out to congratulate on her pregnancy in 2019 and told her that she was one of the "greatest women in the world."
The court saw one of his final texts to Cassie from March 2020, which read, "One day I hope you forgive me.
"We’re honestly lucky to be alive. We went hard. Please know I send this message with all respect to your marriage. Love.”
Cassie testified that she never participated in another "freak-off," which had occurred weekly for years, after they split.
After Cassie left the stand, Dawn Richard swore in to testify about when she saw Combs allegedly beat Cassie with a skillet in 2009. Her testimony will continue on Monday.
It comes as…
- Cassie Ventura testified that Sean Combs became jealous and took her phone when he heard she was dating an NFL player
- He also took her phone after he heard she danced with Chris Brown, which Cassie denied on the stand
- An audio recording of Cassie threatening a man who secretly recorded a "freak-off" was played for the jury on Friday
- The judge became furious at lawyers when he found out Cassie, who is 8 months pregnant, might have to return to the stand next week
- Cassie revealed she was paid $20 million to settle her lawsuit against Combs
- Ex-hotel security guard Israel Florez testified on Monday about being offered cash after Combs attacked Cassie in 2016
- Male escort Daniel Phillip took the stand to speak about how he was paid to have sex with Cassie in front of Combs
- Combs turned down a plea deal days before jury selection got underway
CASSIE'S TESTIMONY
Over her first two days of questioning by prosecutors, Cassie recounted details of multiple "freak-offs" and violent episodes.
Cassie told the court Combs made incessant demands for orgies, which would last for up to four days as she took drugs including cocaine, ecstasy, and mushrooms to stay awake.
She said she was terrified to refuse Combs' orders out of fear he would hurt her and share videos of the "freak-offs."
An audio recording of Cassie threatening a man she suspected of having a "freak-off" video was played for the jury on Friday, where Cassie said, "I’m going to kill you, and then he’s gonna kill you again."
Combs faces five criminal counts, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The rapper has pleaded not guilty to all charges as prosecutors continue to paint him as the ringleader of a criminal enterprise.
He has denied all allegations against him and insists he's only engaged in consensual sex.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
Read our Diddy trial updates blog for the latest updates from court...
Trial continues on Monday
Dawn Richard's testimony will continue on Monday at 9:30 am.
Richard said on Friday that she was horrified when she saw Sean Combs beat Cassie Ventura in 2009.
“I was scared for her and scared to do anything,"Richard said.
“I had never seen anything like that before.”
Dawn recalls horrifying incident
Dawn Richard testified in 2009, she saw Sean Combs beat Cassie Ventura while she was in his home recording music.
The singer said he "came downstairs screaming” and “proceeded to hit her on the head and beat her on the ground in front of us.”
Richard said Cassie dropped to the ground and "went into the fetal position" during the attack.
She said Combs then dragged Cassie upstairs by her hair.
Richard testified she was “scared to do anything in fear of what that might mean for me, too.”
Dawn Richard takes the stand
Dawn Richard has taken the stand.
She started her testimony by saying she worked for Sean Combs from 2004 to 2011.
Richard is testifying that she saw Combs beat Cassie at his home in Los Angeles in 2009.
Cassie comes home
Cassie Ventura has left the courthouse and gone home to be with her family after a grueling week of testimony.
Cassie is eight months pregnant with her third baby with her husband Alex Fine.
Cassie Ventura arrives home after testifying at Manhattan Federal Court on FridayCredit: AFP Courtroom sketch of Cassie Ventura crying
Cassie Ventura broke down sobbing on the stand as she wrapped up her testimony on Friday.
A courtroom sketch of Cassie Ventura crying on the stand during redirect during Sean Combs' federal trial in New York City on May 16, 2025Credit: Reuters Baby oil found in Combs' hotel room
Special Agent Yasin Binda testified "several bottles of baby oil" were found in Sean Combs' hotel room when he was arrested in 2024.
Bags of lubricant and baby oil were found in the entryway closet of the room.
Then more lubricant was found in the bathroom and in the nightstand of the room, Binda said.
In the bedroom, agents found medication prescribed to Frank Black, which Cassie Ventura testified earlier this week was a name she used for Combs during "freak-offs."
Binda testified that cocaine and ecstasy were found in the hotel room.
Jurors were given bags of the drug to look at and pass around.
Investigators also found a lighting device in the hotel room that Binda described as "mood lighting."
Recap of Cassie's 'nail in the coffin'
Cassie testified that she ended her relationship with Combs in 2018, but that the two stayed in touch even after he allegedly raped her while she was dating her now-husband Alex Fine.
On Friday, a text was read out from around the time when Cassie said the rape happened.
“I know I look bad to you. I could tell I didn’t turn you on yesterday. I fell off," Combs texted her after the alleged rape.
Cassie testified that she decided to end her 10-year relationship with Combs after seeing a picture of him with Gina, another woman he was dating, in August 2018.
“I just don’t trust anymore. That last shot put the nail in the coffin," Cassie texted Combs at the time.
Cassie testified that she never participated in another "freak-off," which had occurred weekly for years, after they split.
Cassie's husband says 'I did not save Cassie'
Cassie Ventura's husband, Alex Fine, has released a statement after his wife's testimony.
“Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife freeing herself of her past," Fine said in a statement through Cassie's attorney.
"There has been speculation online surrounding how it must feel for me to sit there and listen to my wife’s testimony. I have felt so many things sitting there.
"I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass. I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her.
"So, to him and all of those who helped him along the way, please know this: You did not. You did not break her spirit nor her smile that lights up every room. You did not break the souls of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls.
"You did not break the woman who has made me a better man,” he said.
“I did not save Cassie, as some have said. To say that is an insult to the years of painful work my wife has done to save herself.
"Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats. She did the work of fighting the demons that only a demon himself could have done to her.
"All I have done is love her as she has loved me. Her life is now surrounded by love, laughter and our family. This horrific chapter is forever put behind us, and we will not be making additional statements.
"We appreciate all of the love and support we have received, and we ask that you respect our privacy as we welcome our son into a world that is now safer because of his mom,” he concluded.
Next witness takes the stand
Special Agent Yasin Binda has taken the stand.
Binda works in Homeland Security's human trafficking group and served the subpoenas in this case.
She searched the hotel room where Combs was staying when he was arrested in September 2024.
Cassie speaks out after testifying
Cassie Ventura has issued a statement through her lawyer after she concluded her testimony.
“This week has been extremely challenging, but also remarkably empowering and healing for me," Cassie said.
"I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors, and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from the abuse and fear."
The statement continued, "For me, the more I heal, the more I can remember. And the more I can remember, the more I will never forget.
"I want to thank my family and my advocates for their unwavering support, and I’m grateful for all the kindness and encouragement that I have received.
"I’m glad to put this chapter of my life to rest. As I turn to focus on the conclusion of my pregnancy, I ask for privacy for me and for my growing family.”
Prosecutors want two more witnesses today
The next witness, Special Agent Yasi Binda, is expected to take about 45 minutes on the stand.
After Binda testifies, prosecutors want to hear from Dawn Richard.
Richard is expected to testify about seeing Sean Combs be violent with Cassie Ventura.
She is also expected to say Combs' staff threatened her to stay quiet about what she saw.
Her testimony is only set to take about 30 minutes.
Courtroom sketch of Combs
Sean Combs was seen passing notes to his lawyers as Cassie Ventura finished being cross-examined on Friday.
After defense lawyer Anna Estevao finished one of her rounds of questioning, Combs gave her a hug.
Sean Combs and his defense team passing notes during the cross-examination of Cassie Ventura on May 16, 2025Credit: Reuters 'We're honestly lucky to be alive'
Cassie Ventura read texts to the court sent by Sean Combs on March 7, 2020 on Friday.
"You were my ride or die," Combs told Cassie.
She responded, "The things you said blew my mind a bit. I don't hate you, I never have.
"I know we need closure and understanding."
Combs said later in the conversation, "One day I hope you forgive me.
"We're honestly lucky to be alive. We went hard.
"Please know I send this message with all respect to your marriage. Love."
Cassie might get $10 million from hotel
In the last minutes of her testimony, Cassie Ventura revealed she'll likely get a $10 million settlement from the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, where she was beaten by Sean Combs in 2016.
Cassie told the court the hotel has agreed to the settlement.
On Monday, the court heard testimony from a former security guard who worked at the hotel when Combs was caught on video kicking and shoving Cassie during a "freak-off."
Next witness revealed
Special Agent Yasin Binda will be the next witness to take the stand.
Binda is set to testify starting at 3:30 pm.
Cassie's testimony is over
Cassie Ventura's testimony is over.
She stood up and walked off the stand with a hand on her pregnant belly.
"Have a great weekend," Judge Arun Subramanian said.
The court is now on a brief break before the next witness takes the stand.
Cassie admits career benefits
Sean Combs' defense asked Cassie to admit her career benefited from her relationship with Combs.
Cassie spoke about how she attended the Met Gala with Combs and got "studio time" because of the rapper.
She mentioned meeting celebrities including Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and Rick Ross.
Next witness arrives
Dawn Richard, one of the next witnesses set to testify against Sean Combs, has walked into the courthouse.
Last year, Richard filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of groping, assaulting, and imprisoning her.
Singer Dawn Richard enters the federal courthouse where Sean Combs' trial is underway on May 16, 2025Credit: EPA 
Richard arrives at the courthouse in Manhattan on FridayCredit: Reuters Cassie bursts into tears
Cassie Ventura broke down in tears when prosecutor Emily Johnson asked about a male escort urinating in her mouth during a "freak-off."
She said she felt "worthless" when she was beaten by Sean Combs during the sex marathons, adding that she felt "like dirt."
"Like I didn’t matter to him. Like I was nothing. Absolutely nothing."
Prosecutors argue Cassie was forced
Sean Combs' defense suggested Cassie Ventura was a willing participant in "freak-offs" throughout cross-examination.
During re-direct, prosecutor Emily Johnson tried to prove that Cassie was forced to have sex with male escorts while she really only wanted to be with Combs.
"Throughout 11 years in your relationship with Sean, who did you want to have sex with?" Johnson asked.
"Just him," Cassie testified
Johnson continued, "Anyone else?"
"Not at the time," Cassie replied.
'I'd give that money back'
Cassie Ventura burst into tears after prosecutors asked if she would return her $20 million settlement if it meant she never had to endure "freak-offs."
"I’d give that money back if I never had to have freak-offs,” Cassie said.
She then started to cry as she said, “If I never had to have freak-offs, I would have agency and autonomy.
“I wouldn’t have had to work so hard to get it back.”
Why Cassie canceled her tour
Cassie Ventura confirmed she did cancel her planned 2024 music tour because of the civil lawsuit she brought against Sean Combs - but not for the reason the defense tried to prove.
She was planning to tour Australia and New Zealand in January 2024, but canceled the trip after Combs settled her lawsuit for $20 million in November 2023.
"After I filed my civil suit I was overwhelmed," Cassie said.
"Addressing the past the way that I chose to was overwhelming. I didn't want to go."
The defense tried to suggest Cassie canceled because she didn't need the tour money anymore after she got the million-dollar settlement.
'It was a weird day'
Prosecutors asked Cassie Ventura to revisit a 2014 audio recording of her threatening to kill a man she thought had seen a sexually explicit video of her at a "freak-off."
“I was just sick about it and was feeling pressure from Sean,” Cassie testified, saying Sean Combs had told her to speak with the man.
"It was a weird day."
Cassie's career took a 'backseat'
While answering re-direct questions from prosecutors, Cassie Ventura said her life was ruled by Sean Combs' desires and that her career took a hit because of it.
“If he was in the mood to have a freak-off, my work would take a backseat,” Cassie testified.
She said she was sometimes told to cancel work obligations for "freak-offs."
Cassie added that she was "basically a sex worker," which the defense objected to and the jury was told to disregard.
Harvey Weinstein accuser attends trial
Kaja Sokola, who testified against Harvey Weinstein earlier this week as he's back on trial for rape, was seen entering Sean Combs' federal trial on Friday.
Sokola's lawyer, Lindsay Goldbrum, confirmed her attendance at the trial to the .
"Ms. Sokola believes it is important to show her support to encourage other survivors who come forward," Goldbrum said, adding that the Polish model doesn't know Cassie Ventura personally.
Harvey Weinstein accuser Kaja Sokola arrives at Manhattan Federal Court for Sean Combs' sex trafficking trial on May 16 2025Credit: AFP