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Cassie Testifies About Opiate Addiction During Sean “Diddy” Combs Relationship
During her second day on the stand in the Sean “Diddy” Combs trial, Cassie testified about developing an intermittent opiate dependency during their relationship. The singer detailed the challenges she faced and how she coped with alleged experiences during their time together, offering insight into the complexities of their interactions.
Cassie, 38, stated that she used the drugs to alleviate the effects of party drugs like ecstasy, which she reportedly consumed during what she described as Diddy’s alleged “freak offs.”
“Opiates numbed me, which is why I depended on them so much,” she declared on Wednesday, May 14, while testifying at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York City. “I wanted to escape what was actually happening in my mind, in my life, in real time. It was simply an escape for me.”
Casandra Ventura, known professionally as Cassie, alleged that Diddy sometimes provided her with opiates, particularly early in their relationship. The couple maintained an on-again, off-again relationship from 2007 to 2018.
Details Emerge From Cassie’s Testimony
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Johnson claimed on Monday, May 12, that Cassie even overdosed during one of the alleged “freak offs.”
“She initially participated in the first ‘freak off’ because she cared for the defendant and desired to please him,” Johnson stated.
Throughout her testimony, Cassie provided detailed accounts of the alleged “freak offs,” asserting that they led to recurrent urinary tract infections. She added that she continued to participate despite the “horrendous” discomfort.
“It was a complete mess, extremely painful for an extended period,” she recounted.
Diddy’s Legal Battles and Allegations
Diddy is currently facing legal proceedings for sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution, following his arrest in September 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and refuted all accusations. His legal team has expressed strong opposition to the prosecution’s approach.
“We are disappointed by the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo stated at the time. “He is not a criminal, though he may be imperfect. Mr. Combs has fully cooperated with this investigation, voluntarily relocating to New York in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve judgment until all facts are available. These actions reflect an innocent man with nothing to conceal, and he is eager to clear his name in court.”
Since his arrest, Diddy has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Judge Arun Subramanian has denied his requests for bail.
Previous Allegations and Lawsuits
His arrest occurred almost a year after Cassie filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual and physical abuse during their relationship. He denied her claims in a statement issued by his attorney.
“Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,” Diddy’s lawyer Ben Brafman said.
Diddy and Cassie reached an out-of-court settlement shortly after the suit was filed. In May 2024, CNN released a hotel surveillance video showing Diddy physically assaulting Cassie in 2016. He later apologized for his actions in a video shared on Instagram.
Resources for Support
- If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
- For those experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
- If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.