Cassie Ventura’s mother, Regina Ventura, offered powerful testimony Tuesday in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ongoing sex-trafficking trial, portraying her daughter’s decade-long relationship with the music mogul as violent, manipulative, and financially burdensome. Appearing briefly in court, she recalled fearing for Cassie’s safety, especially after a disturbing 2011 email in which Cassie claimed Combs had threatened to release explicit sex tapes and harm both her and then-boyfriend Kid Cudi.
Regina said she was “physically sick” upon receiving the message and later documented visible bruises on Cassie during a holiday visit.
She also testified that Combs demanded $20,000 from her family—money he claimed was owed to him as reimbursement for expenses related to Cassie. To meet the demand, the Venturas took out a home equity loan and wired the money. Strangely, the funds were returned a week later without explanation. The prosecution presented this as part of a broader pattern of control and coercion.
Launched after Cassie’s swift $20 million civil settlement in late 2023, Combs’ criminal trial began following his arrest on multiple federal charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking. He faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted. Despite admitting to past violence and drug use, Combs’ defense argues these do not equate to guilt, while attempting to cast doubt on the motives of accusers.
The trial, which has already featured explicit testimony and damning evidence, is expected to last up to 10 weeks.
