Cassie Ventura has spoken out through her legal representatives following Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ acquittal on sex trafficking charges.
Ventura’s legal counsel Douglas H. Wigdor issued a statement on Wednesday, July 2, following the verdict announcement, informing Page Six, “The criminal proceedings began when our client Cassie Ventura demonstrated remarkable bravery by filing her civil complaint in November 2023. While the jury didn’t find Combs guilty of sex trafficking Cassie beyond reasonable doubt, her testimony was instrumental in securing his conviction for transportation with intent to engage in prostitution.”
The statement added: “Through sharing her experiences, Cassie has made an enduring impact on both the entertainment world and the pursuit of justice. We maintain – without any hesitation – our unwavering belief in and support for our client, who demonstrated exceptional courage throughout these proceedings. Her remarkable resilience brought to light the reality of powerful men’s influence and the persistent misconduct that has gone unchallenged for generations.”
Ventura’s attorneys emphasized that this case “demonstrated the urgent need for change, and we remain committed to advocating for survivors.”
Combs, 55, was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but was cleared of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. Each transportation conviction carries a potential 10-year prison term. Prosecutors have requested consecutive sentencing, potentially resulting in a maximum 20-year imprisonment.
Ventura initially testified against Combs in May, describing multiple instances of alleged physical and sexual abuse. The artist, whose relationship with Combs spanned from 2007 to 2018, had previously filed a lawsuit against him in November 2023, citing sexual assault and physical abuse. Combs rejected all accusations, and they reached an out-of-court settlement the following day.
In the wake of Ventura’s lawsuit, numerous others stepped forward with similar allegations of misconduct against Combs. The embattled music mogul consistently denied all accusations and entered not guilty pleas to all charges. (Following her testimony, Ventura welcomed her third child with spouse Alex Fine.)
“We find the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s decision to pursue what we consider an unfair prosecution of Mr. Combs deeply concerning,” Combs’ legal representative Marc Agnifilo expressed to Us following his September 2024 arrest. “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs stands as a musical legend, self-made businessman, devoted family man, and dedicated philanthropist who has dedicated three decades to building an empire, nurturing his children, and working to elevate the Black community.”
Agnifilo further stated: “While Mr. Combs acknowledges his human imperfections, he maintains his innocence of any criminal wrongdoing. It’s worth noting that throughout this investigation, Mr. Combs has demonstrated full cooperation, including his voluntary relocation to New York prior to the charges being filed. We urge the public to withhold judgment until all evidence has been presented and examined. These actions – his cooperation and voluntary appearance – are characteristic of someone who has nothing to conceal and is confident in their innocence. Mr. Combs eagerly anticipates the opportunity to restore his reputation through the legal process.”