After years of silence, Cassie Ventura is finally telling her story — in her own words.
In newly released testimony, the singer and former model opens up about her long-term relationship with music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, detailing a harrowing pattern of emotional manipulation, physical harm, and coercive control that began when she was just 19 years old. Her account, now part of an ongoing federal investigation, offers an unfiltered look at the pain she says she endured behind the scenes — even while the public saw glitz, glam, and hit records.
Cassie’s voice is raw, direct, and unwavering as she recalls the pressure to participate in private encounters she didn’t consent to, the moments she feared for her safety, and the devastating toll the relationship took on her identity and freedom.
This testimony marks a powerful and necessary moment — not just for Cassie, but for anyone who’s ever felt voiceless inside a powerful system.
Below is Cassie Ventura’s full testimony, presented without edits or interruption, so her words can speak entirely for themselves.
All rise!
AUSA Johnson: The Government calls Cassandra Ventura.
[She takes the stand, extremely pregnant]AUSA Johnson: How old are you?
Ventura: 38.
AUSA: What is your work?
Ventura: Musician and entertainer.
AUSA: How long were you with Sean?
Ventura: 10 years
AUSA Johnson: Did you get in arguments?
Ventura: Yes, it would result in violence, dragging
AUSA: What else did he do?
Ventura: Stomp me in the head if I was down
AUSA: How frequently was he violent?
Ventura: Too frequently. I would get black eyes and bruises
AUSA Johnson: Let me show you a video
[LA hotel elevator lobby shown]AUSA: Where is this?
Ventura: The Inter Continental in Los Angeles. It was after a freak-off.
AUSA: What does that entail?
Ventura: The hiring of an escort, setting it up
AUSA: How did you feel when he first asked for it?
Ventura: Confused, nervous, I wanted to make him happy
AUSA: Did you agree to one when he first proposed one?
Ventura: Yes. Then there were more. It wasn’t something I wanted to do, at least not that frequently
Ventura: I didn’t know what No could turn into
AUSA: What do you mean?
Ventura: Making him angry.
AUSA: What were you afraid would happen if you said No?
Ventura: Though time he had blackmail materials…
AUSA: What did you give the Government?
Ventura: Laptops
AUSA: I’ve handed up GX-B, do you recognize it?
Ventura: Yes, I’ve reviewed this drive. It has communication and documents pertaining to Mr. Combs.
AUSA: Did you review photos on it?
Ventura: Yes.
AUSA: What’s this photo?
Ventura: Me in 2004, with Kerry Morgan
AUSA: When did you sign with Bad Boy Records?
Ventura: 2006. It was a ten album deal.
AUSA: Did you release any after late 2006?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: Who’s in this photo?
Ventura: Kim Porter, she was Sean’s X from before me and the mother of his children
AUSA: Where did you celebrate your birthday, in this photo?
Ventura: In Las Vegas. Kerry Morgan was there too. We are out on his patio on my 21st birthday, VMAs
AUSA: What happened then?
Ventura: Sean kissed me in the bathroom. I ran back to my hotel. I told Kerry
AUSA: When you got back to New York?
Ventura: I’d visit him in the Trump Hotel in Columbus Circle. His apartment was being renovated.
AUSA: What were you going with your music career?
Ventura: Trying to come up with a concept. Sean called all of the shots
AUSA: Did you visit Sean in Miami?
Ventura: Yes. I went with Kerry Morgan and Dallas Austin.
AUSA: What did you & Sean do together?
Ventura: sexµal intercourse. He gave me Blue Dolphin ecstasy on a boat.
AUSA: Had you once before taken Ecstacy unintentionally?
Yes
AUSA: How did you take Ecstasy unintentionally?
Ventura: It was in Gatorade.
AUSA: When you took it intentionally with Sean, how did it feel?
Ventura: Like, rolling.
AUSA: At the time, what did you think?
Ventura: That we were spending a lot of time together
Ventura: I thought we were monogamous.
AUSA: Was it made public?
Ventura: No. I was his artist. Also, his family, his children.
AUSA: Who was linked to him publicly?
Ventura: Kim Porter.
AUSA: How did Sean treat you at this time?
Ventura: We had fun
AUSA: What was his lifestyle like?
Ventura: He had all these assistants. He could get things done. He traveled quite a bit.
AUSA: What’s this photo?
Ventura: Sean and I at a strip club in NY, like 2007 or 2008, Halloween
AUSA: How did Sean’s moods vary?
Day to day
AUSA: When it swung, could you describe it?
Ventura: Anger, zoning out
AUSA: How did it impact you?
Ventura: Greatly. The next thing I knew I was getting hit in the face. There was also psychological abuse. He’d tell me to watch my mouth, change my face
AUSA: How would he keep tabs on you?
Ventura: We didn’t live far apart. He’d send security to come find me. Or a trusted assistant.
AUSA: Like who?
Ventura: David James, Kristina Khorram…
AUSA: Was your relationship exclusive?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: Did you see other men?
Ventura: Yes.
AUSA: Did Sean see other women?
Ventura: Yes. He said, I am Puff Daddy. I was insanely jealous.
AUSA: Did you move to LA with him?
Ventura: Yes. He wanted to be close to his kids who were there.
AUSA: Where did you live in LA?
Ventura: 875 Comstock Avenue [Wilshire Corridor Condos]AUSA: How tall was the building?
Ventura: No more than 17 floors.
AUSA: Where did Sean live?
Ventura: 200 South Mapleton. Sean would use a golf cart to get back and forth
AUSA: Who paid your rent in LA?
Ventura: Sean, except when I had the house in Studio City.
AUSA: Why’d you pay then?
Ventura: I could afford it then. And I wanted to have some control. It was accepted.
AUSA: By whom?
Ventura: Sean.
AUSA: How many songs did you write while with Sean?
Ventura: 100s. Most were never released. Some got leaked on the Internet. Some on mix tapes.
AUSA: How many albums on your deal were not released?
Ventura: Nine.
AUSA: Did you get paid for them?
Ventura: No.
Ventura: The freak offs became a job. There was no time to do anything else but do them then try to recover.
AUSA: How much time in your week would freak offs take?
Ventura: The longest was four days, significant periods of time.
1:16 pm – they’re back.
Judge: Welcome back.
AUSA: Who was your manager at Bad Boy Records?
Cassie Ventura: James Cruz.
AUSA: What did he tell you?
Ventura: That he was managing me with one hand tied behind his back – he had to check everything with Sean
AUSA: How did you make money, if your records weren’t being released?
Ventura: I did hosting parties, when Sean approved them.
AUSA: What comments did Sean make about your physical appearance?
Ventura: That I looked too Mexican with my hair like that
AUSA: How did he like your nails?
Ventura: White. French tipped.
AUSA: Hair?
Ventura: It varied. I shaved my head in 2009.
AUSA: Your body?
Ventura: He told me to work out, prepare for the freak offs.
AUSA: How did you feel about his comments?
Ventura: It varied
AUSA: What else did Sean pay for?
Ventura: Cars
AUSA: Did he give you cash?
Ventura: Yes. But he would take things away, depending on how he felt.
AUSA: What else would he take away?
Ventura: My self confidence.
AUSA: Who would take things away?
Ventura: Staff
Ventura: I assume staff
Defense: Objection.
Judge: Jury will disregard that last answer.
AUSA: Who look your laptop and phone?
Ventura: Security.
AUSA: How long would they be gone for?
Ventura: How ever long I was being punished for
AUSA: How often were you in contact with Sean’s staff?
Ventura: Daily.
AUSA: Who are in these photos?
Ventura: Kristina Khorram and Ms. Fletcher.
AUSA: What did you call Ms. Khorram?
Ventura: K.K.
AUSA: And who’s this?
Ventura: D-Roc. He was Sean’s security
AUSA: Did you get piercings?
Ventura: Yes, Sean came with me.
AUSA: Which of his homes did you have freak outs in?
Ventura: Miami, New York
AUSA: What other homes?
Ventura: My homes, all but Studio City.
AUSA: In what other cities?
Ventura: Atlanta, Ibiza
AUSA: In what hotels in NY did you have freak offs?
Ventura: Trump, Gramercy…
AUSA: Inter Continental?
Ventura: 44th Street, yes.
AUSA: Elsewhere?
Ventura: Mandarin Oriental, Fontainebleau
AUSA: What names were used?
Ventura: Jackie Star, I used, Frank Black
AUSA: What supplies for freak offs?
Ventura: Astroglide, baby oil, condoms.
AUSA: Who brought the supplies?
Ventura: Security, Sean’s assistants.
AUSA: Which brand of baby oil?
Ventura: Johnson’s
AUSA: How was it used?
Ventura: Sean said, you need to be glistening
AUSA: Where there freak offs where you ran out of baby oil?
Defense: Objection, Your Honor, this is – Irrelevant.
AUSA: You also mentioned Astroglide.
Defense: Same objection, irrelevant
Judge: Sidebar!
AUSA: We were just talking about Astroglide. How was it used?
Ventura: Lubricant.
AUSA: If you ran out, what?
Ventura: We’d call either staff or the bell desk, give them a tip
AUSA: Were the freak offs lit?
Ventura: Initially it was candle, strong smelling, Glade
AUSA: Any other use of candle wax?
Ventura: A few times poured on my body.
AUSA: Who set the temperature of the room?
Ventura: Sean…. I was expected to do freak offs on my period.
AUSA: Did you want to do that?
Ventura; No.
AUSA: Did you want to be urinated on?
Defense: Objection!
Judge: Grounds?
Defense: Asked and answered.
Judge: Overruled.
Ventura: No I did not want it.
AUSA: How did it feel?
Ventura: It was disgusting, it was too much. I choked. No one could think I wanted it
AUSA: Why were you choking?
Ventura: Too much urine in my mouth.
AUSA: Who else urinated on you?
Ventura: Sean.
AUSA: Did you want Sean to urinate on you?
Ventura: I didn’t want anyone to urinate on me.
AUSA: How often did it happen?
Ventura: Often enough
AUSA: Which hotel charged the most for damage to the room?
Ventura: The Inter Continental in New York. They redecorated the whole room for ridiculous money.
AUSA: Back to the urination-
Judge: Ms. Johnson, only a few more questions.
AUSA: Why didn’t you say no?
Ventura: It was obvious I didn’t want to be on the ground being urinated on by two men.
AUSA: Where did you find escorts?
Ventura: Initially Craigslist
2:47 PM · May 13, 2025
Judge: We’ll break here
Judge Subramanian: Ready? All rise!
AUSA: Ms. Ventura, in what cities did you respond to ads on Craigslist?
Ventura: In New York.
AUSA: Did you respond to ads on Backpage as well?
Ventura: Yes.
AUSA Johnson: Who directed you to communicate with escorts?
Defense: Objection!
AUSA: Who if anyone-
Defense: Same objection – assumes a fact not in evidence.
AUSA: Did you ever reach out to escort independently?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: Did you ever not use an escort who arrived?
Ventura: One couldn’t perform so Sean sent him on.
AUSA: What was a safe escort?
Ventura: Not a cop, and someone who’d not run and tell everyone about their experience with us.
AUSA: Why not a cop?
Ventura: I learned this whole situation was not legal-
Defense: Objection!
Judge; Jury will disregard that last answer.
AUSA: How did cash get there?
Judge: Security or he brought it himself.
Ventura: Clayton Howard.
AUSA: Who is this? [Photo shown to witness]Ventura: Daniel.
AUSA: What service did you use?
Ventura: A dancer service
AUSA Johnson: Do you recognize Jules?
Ventura: Yes.
AUSA: In what cities did you have freak offs with Jules?
Ventura: NY, LA, Vegas.
AUSA: Do you know his last name?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: Who’s this?
Ventura: I knew him as The Punisher
AUSA: Did you use drugs at every freak off?
Ventura: Yes. I need to disassociate and become emotionless.
AUSA: Who else used drugs at freak offs?
Ventura: Sean did. Sometimes the escort.
AUSA: What other drugs did you use:
Ventura: Special K, GHB, mushrooms
AUSA: I’ll read Sean’s parts of this email, you read you
Ventura: “When should I take the thing? When will you be there?”
AUSA: Pausing you there, what did you mean?
Ventura: Drugs.
AUSA/Sean: I took mine. I’m flying
AUSA: What does he mean?
Ventura: He’s high
AUSA: Why did you take more drugs?
Ventura: To not be present with the experience.
AUSA: Why?
Ventura: Because it was something I hated
AUSA: How did you react to Ecstasy and MDMA?
Ventura: It could make me vomit.
AUSA: What would he say?
Ventura: To continue
AUSA: Did you want to continue to have intercourse when you wanted to vomit?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: How does GHB make you feel?
Ventura: Drunk. Tipsy.
AUSA: Cocaine?
Ventura: Makes my heart race. I’m not a huge fan.
AUSA: Mushrooms?
Ventura: The walls come alive
Judge: We’ll take a break.
[4:15 pm, Cassie Ventura is back, jury is back]Judge: You may continue.AUSA Johnson: When drugs ran out, how did you know who to reach out to?
Ventura: Sean would tell me…
AUSA: During the session, how would you know to move to the next step?
A: Sean.
AUSA: What would happen after the escort finished on you?
Ventura: Sean would want it put on his body in the next room.
AUSA: Did you do that?
Ventura: I did.
AUSA: Where?
Ventura: Usually on his nipples.
AUSA: Did you want to do that?
Ventura: No.
AUSA: How did you feel?
Ventura: I was an object, being heavily objectified by men… Sometimes he would watch by Facetime.
AUSA: Were some sessions recorded on your devices?
Ventura: Because they were there.
AUSA: If you saw them on your device what would you do?
Ventura: I would delete them.
AUSA: Why?
Ventura: They were disgusting. I never wanted anyone to see them.
AUSA: Were Sean’s devices used sometimes?
Ventura: Yes. I asked him to delete them.
AUSA: Did he?
Ventura: I don’t know
AUSA: Did you ever leave a freak off before it was over?
Ventura: Yes. At the Century City Inter Continental… I finally had a premiere coming up and I didn’t want to mess it up. But Sean hit me.
AUSA: At what point did Sean hit you?
Ventura: Between sessions
AUSA: What happened next?
Ventura: I got to the elevator. Next thing I knew I was thrown to the ground.
AUSA: Who threw you down?
Ventura: Sean. He grabbed me by my neck and my hoodie.
AUSA: Let me show you the video
[Hotel hallway video played]
AUSA: What are you doing?
Ventura: Trying to use the hotel phone.
AUSA: What is Sean doing?
Ventura: Taking my phone and my bag.
Judge: We’ll break for the day
DAY TWO TESTIMONY:
Combs’ Alexandra Shapiro: I’m concerned that during the break there could be generalized discussion about the testimony and might come up. We are going to try to avoid any privileged communications AUSA: During Mr. Phillip’s testimony I spoke with his lawyer
All rise! Judge Sumbamanian: We have a note from a juror about a scheduling accomodation [it’s not in the docket]. What about Ms. Ventura’s husband? AUSA: He will be removed from the courtroom before a certain issue comes up. Judge: Good.
Judge: Have the privacy screens been installed? AUSA: They are being installed by court tech staff. Judge: On the conferring with counsel issue, I tend to agree with Ms. Shapiro. AUSA: What about conferring about questions about privilege?
AUSA: We anticipate these witnesses being on cross examination for multiple days. We need to speak with them about security and transportation. Judge: Ms. Shapiro, can you draft something on a piece of paper, an instruction you would have me give.
AUSA: The defense has sent us a zip file of text messages, we are reviewing them before raising it Judge: I appreciate that. AUSA Comey: The defense has still not shown us exhibits they may use in cross examination of Ms. Ventura. We are worried this will continue
Combs’ Anna Maria Estevao: We are marking several chains of text messages. They had these documents in their possession for 8 months before we got them. Judge: We are here. We were told there’s half a day left of direct. Could you give them at lunch?
Defense: Our paralegal is printing them out. AUSA Comey: They should have turned over these exhibits to us on April 27. Judge: Ms. Geragos [handling this issue], we did have a schedule. As you mark them, why shouldn’t you be required to turn them over?
It’s Combs’ Agnifilo who answers: Rule 16 does not contemplate these carve outs. We are not behind the 8 ball on this – we have complied with Rule 16. I would be surprised if the Government only has another three hours with Ms. Ventura, but whatever
Combs’ Agnifilo: We don’t think it’s required, but we’ll do it. Luckily we have a sizable defense team so we can do it. Judge: Ms. Comey, what do you want? AUSA Comey: We want their exhibits, not a trial by ambush. I want them now. I will find the cases.
Judge Subramanian: You don’t have to put in a letter. You can just email me the cases and I’ll take a look at them. [Inner City Press would asks, Are these judicial documents going to go into the public docket? How much is being left off-docket in this case?]
Judge: We have a witness waiting in the back. Produce them before the cross examination starts. You can email me cases during the trial day. Let’s get moving. Let’s get Ms. Ventura back. Witness entering Judge: Welcome back
Judge: All rise! [Jurors enter] Judge: You are still under oath. Proceed. AUSA Johnson: May I approach the witness? Judge; You may. AUSA Johnson: Ms. Ventura, I just handed you two drives. What is on them, GX 8? Ventura: Messages and photos from my devices
AUSA Johnson: Yesterday you testified about Sean going armed to look for Suge Knight Ventura: Sean took guns with him AUSA: And he told you to ask the escorts if they were cops? Ventura: I would begin by saying I was not a cop AUSA: Sean told you to do that? Yes
AUSA: What happened when you fought back? Ventura: I did that more earlier in the relationship. It would make him more violent, want to push me harder Defense: Objection to the speculation Judge: Overruled. AUSA: How would Sean react if you fought back? A: Anger
AUSA: I’m going to show you the LA Inter Continental hallway again. Play from 1:43 to 1:46 AUSA: Who enters? Ventura: Sean. AUSA: What’s in his hand? Ventura: He doesn’t appear to have anything. AUSA: Play to 1:59… Now anything in his hand? Ventura: My phone
AUSA: How did he get it? Ventura: Well, he took all of my stuff. AUSA: Where does he end up? Ventura: Sitting in a chair in front of the window. AUSA: What are you doing? Ventura: I’m walking away from him
AUSA: Now who’s in the video? Ventura: Me and security. AUSA: In this one, play from 5:31… Where did you go from the hotel? Ventura: To my house. I took an Uber. AUSA: Now let’s turn to text messages. Can you read page 4? Ventura: Pls call, I’m surrounded
AUSA: Who sent that? Ventura: From Sean. He was running around in a towel. I told him to put the robe on AUSA: Who sent these green messages? Ventura: I did. I wrote to Sean, “Jules left, as long as you’re quiet you can stay. Peace.” AUSA: Who was Jules? A: Escort
AUSA: Is this Jules? [Photo shown – big smile] Ventura: Yes. AUSA: B606 and 607, side by side. [Cassie in big sunglasses] Ventura: That’s me, a selfie of me with a fat lip. AUSA: When did you take it? Ventura: In the Uber, with one of my phones
AUSA: What did you write here? Ventura: I said, please stay away from me AUSA: And what does he say? Ventura: He says, I’m getting arrested. AUSA: Was he? Ventura: I don’t think so. AUSA: What did you write back? Ventura: Plugging my phone in and going to bed
AUSA: Who was at your home when you got there? Ventura: Kerry Morgan. She was upset when she saw me. She called the police. AUSA: Did you speak with them? Ventura: Yes. But I didn’t say who I was talking about and they left. AUSA: Why? Ventura: I wasn’t ready.
AUSA: Did Sean try to come to your apartment? Ventura: Yes. He was banging. That was pretty normal from him. But this’ a pretty private building. AUSA: Did you hear from Ms. Khorran that day? Ventura: Yes. And I went to see D-Roc and his wife, to try to feel safe
AUSA: In this photo, what are you wearing? Ventura: A gown and sunglasses. I had a black eye. AUSA: What if any other bruising was visible? Ventura: I had several bruises on my leg. But I changed clothes. AUSA: What’s this? Ventura: Me and Sean at the afterparty
AUSA: I’m going to show you escorts … do you know the name of this person? Ventura: No. AUSA: In what cities did you use him? Ventura: New York AUSA: Who’s this? Ventura: Islander. He was on Latin Men. We used him in LA and maybe Vegas. AUSA: Who’s this, 2A-616?
Ventura: We called him Tommy. AUSA: Who is this? Ventura: I know him as Greg, an escort in Miami. AUSA: Who’s this? Ventura: Jonathan. We saw him in Miami. AUSA: Who’s this? [Red baseball cap, backwards Ventura: I don’t know. He looks familiar from the freak offs
AUSA: What did you write here? Ventura: This is all we do, I’m just getting back on track. I’m sure you can call Kim or something. AUSA: What did you mean by “this is all we do”? Ventura: Freak offs.
AUSA: Did you try to avoid anything in the freak offs? Ventura: I tried to avoid kissing, it seems too intimate. But Sean told me to do it, to kiss the escorts. AUSA: What did Sean ask you to do on your 29th birthday? Ventura: A freak off.
Ventura: He had me pulled out of the Blind Dragon for the freak off… Some security. AUSA: What about blackmail material? Ventura: He wanted me to fear- Defense: Objection! Judge: Overruled. AUSA: When would Sean mention the freak off videos? A: To hurt me
Ventura: One time I was dating someone else and he threatened to release the freak off videos. I’d have to answer to my mother… It’s horrible and disgusting. No one should do that to anyone. AUSA: What did Sean say the impact would be? Ventura: Shame
AUSA: Let me show you a chat. Who’s on it? Ventura: Me and Sean. July 22, 2013. AUSA: Read your message Ventura: I wrote, Please delete the videos off your phone, too many people have access to your devices. He said, No iCloud, all good, ambien kicking in.
11:10 am – Judge has taken a break to “change some things in the court room.” During the break, Combs sit at defense table, his lawyer Xavier Donaldson leaning down to speak with him
AUSA Johnson: There’s still some issues with the privacy screens, so we’ll put that off and do something else now Judge: OK…. Welcome back Ms. Ventura. Bring in the jury [Jury enters] AUSA Johnson: I offer more exhibits.
AUSA Johnson: What did you say here? Ventura: I’d been told there was a sexually explicit video out there about me. I reached out to Sean. AUSA: Then what? Ventura: We were driving back to NYC from Atlantic City, to talk to this DJ [“Whoo Kid”?]
AUSA: Did that happen? Ventura: At a restaurant AUSA: What was security’s role? Ventura: To intimidate. They were lining the room. AUSA: Who was there? Ventura: Uncle Paulie, James Cruz
AUSA: How would you recover from a freak off? Ventura: I’d take opiates. I wanted to feel numb. We’d get massages, I.V. fluids. The chef would cook us something. AUSA: How often did you take opiates after freak offs? Ventura: Often. I got Urinary Tract Infections
AUSA: Were the U.T.I.s painful? Ventura: Very. Anti-bacterials didn’t work anymore. AUSA: How did it feel, during freak offs? Ventura: Burning. I would not advise it. AUSA: Let’s read this out loud. Ventura: “I have all these sores on my tongue. I have another UTI
AUSA: What sores? Ventura: Friction in my mouth. AUSA: From what? Ventura: Oral sex. AUSA: You said, another UTI, then sad face emoji Ventura: I was open with him about them. AUSA: “So you feel sick?” Ventura: “Why are you sorry?” I took the blame for things
AUSA: Which escort would go to sex clubs with you and Sean? Ventura: Jules. AUSA: The escort from the Inter Continental in LA? Ventura: Yes. AUSA: Did you want to have sex with Jules, ever? Ventura: No. (laughs). But I knew him AUSA: Why did you do it? A: Sean
AUSA: Who was present when Sean put his hands on you at freak outs? Ventura: Sometimes the escort was there too. AUSA: In the same room? Ventura: Yes. Jules. AUSA: & in the suite? Ventura: Yes. AUSA: Were they aware? Defense: Objection! Judge: Overruled. A: Yes
Ventura: The escorts would ask me if I was OK, afterward. AUSA: In what cities did he put his hands on you? Ventura: NY, LA, Miami… AUSA: How frequently? Ventura: Too frequently. AUSA: What’s The Abbey? Ventura: A gay club in LA. I went there with my friend
AUSA: Where were you going? Ventura: To a music festival in Canada run by Drake. Sean came to my home & tried to attack me. I was thrown into the bed frame. AUSA: What’s this? Ventura: A photo of my eye afterward AUSA: Who took you to the doctor? Ventura: D-Roc
AUSA: Did you send this photo to Sean? Ventura: Yes. And I wrote, So you can remember. I wanted him to be sorry about it, at least. AUSA: In this photo where were you? Ventura: In the green room in Toronto. I put my hair over my eye. Then we went to the Hamptons
Ventura: Sean wanted to have a freak off in the Hamptons. We got a hotel and an escort AUSA: Which one? Ventura: Dave. I took GHB. I went into a “G hole” and blacked out. I woke up nude in the shower. Dave and Sean were freaking out. I bugged out. It wasn’t pretty
AUSA: Then what? Ventura: I spoke to a friend of Sean’s… and then we had a freak off. AUSA: What’s this? Ventura: My eye brow, healed up a little bit, a week later. I have a permanent scar on my eyebrow. AUSA: What’s this? Ventura: Me at the Cannes Festival
AUSA: What happened at Cannes? Ventura: Sean accused me of taking drugs from his boat. He threw me off – but my passport was still on the boat. AUSA: And you were on the red carpet that same night? Ventura: Yes. AUSA: Did you attend the movie? Ventura: Yes.
1:53 pm – they are belatedly back All rise! Judge: As to exhibit 619, the objection to the defendant’s proposal is overruled. Let’s have Ms. Ventura back, then we’ll bring in our jury.
Jury entering AUSA Johnson: I have a binder for the court… The gallery will not be able to see these exhibits. Ms. Ventura, I will show you some exhibits. 2A-404, who is it? Ventura: She worked for Sean.
AUSA Johnson: We will call her Mia… When you gave your devices to the government, were they working? Ventura: No, they were broken. AUSA: Put up 602-A, for Ms. Ventura and the jury only. What’s on your skin? Ventura: Oil
AUSA: When did Sean first hurt you physically? Ventura: It started in the first year. AUSA: What staffer were present when Sean was physical with you? Defense: Objection – physical is vague. AUSA: Punching, hitting…
AUSA Johnson: When did Sean first use violence on you? Ventura: In New York City. We were in a car, with his security, and he knocked me around. AUSA: What did he do? Ventura: He hit me in the side of the head. I fell to the floor of his Escalade.
AUSA: In January 2009 did you attend an event in LA with Sean? Ventura: Yes AUSA: What happened as you left? Ventura: I’d been speaking to a producer about music. Sean called me a slut. I hit him in the face. I had been drinking AUSA: Did you see any injuries? No
Ventura: I was on the floor of the car &he stomped on my face AUSA: How long did this last? Ventura: Ten minutes. Then I tried to get away but Sean’s security brought me back. AUSA: Who? Ventura: Roger Bonds. AUSA: What did they tell me? Ventura: To go to a hotel
Ventura: They snuck me into the hotel covered up so no one could see my face. AUSA: How long were you at the London Hotel? Ventura: A week, a little more. An assistant brought me ice cream. AUSA: What was the assistant’s name? Ventura: Genevieve
AUSA: Did you feel you could leave the London Hotel? Ventura: No. I understood his capability, his access to guns, the threats he made. AUSA: When you were taken to the hotel after the assault? Ventura: No.
AUSA: Did you know that this assault incident was reported? Ventura: I know there was a blind item on the Internet without our names AUSA: Who raised the blind item to you? Ventura: My mother Defense: Objection AUSA: Not for the truth Judge: Overruled
Ventura: This was before Facetime was very popular, so I could hide myself. She asked if it was me. AUSA: What did you say? Ventura: No. I did not want my mother to know something of that magnitude, and be in danger.
AUSA: When you went to a party with your girlfriends, what happened? Ventura: I saw executives from BET – then I heard that Sean was there. AUSA: What did you do? Ventura: I left. I ran out as fast as I could. AUSA: Why? Ventura: I thought he was angry
AUSA: Did he come to the hotel where you were staying? Ventura: Yes, he beat me up & called me names. My face was bruised. AUSA: This photo, who is it? Ventura: Scott Mescudi, known as Kid Cudi. We dated in 2011. AUSA: Did Sean find out? Ventura: Yes, in my phone
Ventura: Sean went through my phone during a freak out. He found an email. AUSA: About what? Ventura: Taking my toiletry bag to Scott’s the next day. Sean put a wine opener in his hand and threatened me. I called Scott on a burner phone. AUSA: Where did you go?
Ventura: To Scott’s house. Then I talked with Capricorn Clark, one of Sean’s assistants. AUSA: Then what? Ventura: I went to the house Sean was staying at. He told me he would release videos and hurt Scott and I. AUSA: What videos? Ventura: Freak off videos. Of me
Ventura: Sean kicked me in the back, I got a bruise. AUSA: Where’d you go? Ventura: To my hotel, with the burner phone. The room was torn up. Someone peed all over the floor, pooped in the toilet and didn’t flush it. It was gross. This was just before Christmas
Ventura: I sent an email to my mom and Capricorn, from my flight to Boston and Connecticut. AUSA: What did you write? Ventura: That Sean said he would release the tape of me on Christmas and he’d had Scott and I hurt, he said he would be out of the country then
AUSA: What are these photographs? Ventura: My mother took there in Connecticut, of the bruises on my back. AUSA: Were you entirely honest with your mother about the abuse? Ventura: No, I said this was the first time. AUSA: Did you tell her about the freak offs? No
Ventura: Is it possible to take a break? Judge: Yes. Break
3:09 pm – they’re back. Judge: Ms. Johnson, any estimate? AUSA Johnson: An hour more. The goal is to finish the direct and allow the start of cross examination today. Judge: Bring the witness and then the jury back in.
Jury entering. AUSA Johnson: Did anyone come to see you in Connecticut? Ventura: Scott did, for a few days. I broke it off with him. It was too dangerous Defense: Objection! Judge: Overruled. Ventura: Sean said he would hurt both of us.
AUSA: Where did you go after Connecticut? Ventura: I went to see Sean, he was in Arizona, his son, college. I told my mother I was going to LA for work. AUSA: Did Sean talk about Scott’s car? Ventura: Sean said he wanted Scott’s friends to see Scott’s car blown up
AUSA: What happened next? Ventura: We met, Sean, Scott and me. Scott said, What about my vehicle? And Sean said, What vehicle? And that was the end of the meeting. AUSA: Put up the photo. What is this? Ventura: Me and Sean in Kingston, Jamaica for SoundClash
AUSA: Were you bruised? Ventura: Yes. AUSA: And this photo – what is it? Ventura: Me in Sean’s bathroom, Sept 18, 2015. AUSA: What were you doing there? Ventura: Recuperating from being beaten up by Sean in Las Vegas.
Ventura: We were having an after-party in our suite. I talked to a producer and Sean tapped me on the shoulder, called me into our room and beat me. Kicked me as I tried to hide behind the toilet. AUSA: What stopped it? Ventura: D-Roc and James Cruz came in.
Ventura: It made D-Roc sad. AUSA: What are these communications? Ventura: From D-Roc to me, he says, Where you at? It’s time to ice your face. AUSA: Why? Ventura: I had just been beaten up by Sean
AUSA: Were these all the times he beat you? Ventura: No, there were more. AUSA: With who else did you see Sean be violent? Ventura: I saw him drag an assistant out of bed. I saw him punch Eli [or Ely] in his head. One time in Turks & Caicos he dragged a person
Ventura: I believe we had a freak off in Turks & Caicos. AUSA: What floor did you live on in 875 Comstock? Ventura: 17th floor. AUSA: Did a friend stay with you? Ventura: Yes, Sean came and held her and threw her on the patio furniture out on the balcony.
Ventura: I saw Sean bring her back in from over the balcony then throw her on the patio furniture… AUSA: And Kerry Morgan? Ventura: I saw Sean hit her in the head… AUSA: Did you get drugs on your own? Ventura: Occasional drug dealers. Opiates. Xanax. Valium
Ventura: Sean would put the pills in a Vitamin C bottle on the sink in the New York apartment. He’d say, you can take him. He had doctors who would write the scripts in the name of an assistant, or in my name.
AUSA: Your brother’s birthday party in Connecticut in 2013, what happened? Ventura: My mother told me someone was taking pictures of me. I went and punched her in the head. AUSA: You testified your relationship with Sean ended in 2018 – how was your health?
Ventura: I was sleep walking, I had PTSD Defense: Objection! Judge: Overruled. AUSA: What’s this? Ventura: A photo of my front door in 2018. AUSA: Publish it to the jury.. Why is there a knife there? Ventura: Sean was coming around a lot. So I had it
AUSA: August 2018, what happened? Ventura: We were having a closure conversation at a restaurant in Malibu, he was trying to convince me to go to Burning Man. AUSA: Were you seeing anymore? Ventura: My now husband
AUSA: What happened next? Ventura: Sean came to my house and raped me on my living room floor. His eyes were black. It was like taking something from you. AUSA: You cried – what did Sean do? Ventura: He continued and finished inside of me. Then he got up and left
AUSA: Did you ever have sex with him again? Ventura: Yes, voluntarily. We had a good night, I went back to his house. AUSA: Can you explain why you did that after he raped you? Ventura: We had been together 10 years…
AUSA: Who did you stay in touch with? Ventura: Most people, though I pulled away… AUSA: What did you message Sean about after that? Ventura: Just checking in. AUSA: What did he send you? Ventura: That he had iPads full of images, get him his money.
AUSA: Money back for what? Ventura: For having paid my now husband to be my trainer. AUSA: What did you write back? Ventura: Do you want me to tell the truth? It’s much deeper than iPads – there was abuse, more than freak offs.
Ventura: There was a time I couldn’t take the pain, tried to walk out in traffic. My husband wouldn’t let me. I had trauma therapy. AUSA: Did you write? Ventura: A book with chapters. My mom helped. AUSA: What did you want with the book? Ventura: That Sean read it
AUSA: What pain did Sean put you through? Ventura: Shame. To carry the things that were shameful for him. I took on a lot of responsibility for that that I never should have. He brought the concept to me when I was 22. It was expected of me. I felt terrible
AUSA: How did you get chapters to Sean? Ventura: Through my attorney. And I reached out to K.K. I asked her if he read it. She said it was not taken seriously. AUSA: How much did you ask for the book? Ventura: $30 million. AUSA: Did you sue? Ventura: Nov 2023
AUSA: What happened with the lawsuit? Ventura: It settled for $20 million, in 24 hours. AUSA: Why are you testifying in this trial? Ventura: I can’t carry this anymore. What’s wrong is wrong. I tried people like they were disposable. Escorts, anybody
AUSA: How many freak offs did you have with Sean? Ventura: Impossible to know. Hundreds. AUSA: After you broke up with Sean, did you ever do a freak off? Ventura: No. AUSA: No further questions.
AUSA: Sidebar before cross? Judge: Yes
With jury out: Judge: Why don’t we put off the cross until tomorrow? AUSA Johnson: We’d like to start now, to be sure to finish. Judge: Ms. Estavao? Combs’ Estavao: She will be finished by the end of the week. Judge: So no cross today
Judge Subramanian: We’ll just make up the time in other ways. Get the jury. AUSA: The witness can be excused? Judge: Yes.
Jury entering! Judge Subramanian: Sorry to bring you out only to send you home. Don’t read anything about this case. Have a great evening. All rise! Jury exits. Judge: Ms. Comey? AUSA Comey: Here’s what the defense sent us about Rule 412
AUSA Comey: We believe we had agreed that other sexual acts by the witness were not admissible. But we understand they intend to cross examine her about other relationships – with texts about sex, about Ms. Ventura “f*cking someone else.” Why is that necessary?
AUSA Comey: I don’t want to read these into the record, so I’ll hand copies up. Judge: Defense? Combs’ Agnifilo: These are messages about jealousy, in the vocabulary of “Are you f-ing that person.” That’s fair game. This is the real world way people express hurt
AUSA Comey: The rule requires that this be sealed. Judge: Let’s proceed without specifics. Combs’ Agnifilo: Saying, “Are you f-ing that person” is just a vulgar way of asking, Are you cheating? Both sides opened on infidelity. This is not 412
Judge: We could do it in the robing room AUSA: The defendant would have to be present Judge: So in the courtroom [sealed?] AUSA: Counsel for Victim 1 would like to be heard Judge: I see his hand. Mr. Wigdor? Wigdor: We are entitled to notice
Judge: So, tomorrow morning. Adjourned.