Diddy’s trial will feature testimony from singer Cassie

Cassie Ventura is preparing to testify under her own name against her former partner Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in the forthcoming federal trial concerning sex trafficking and racketeering.

The 37-year-old singer and model is among four alleged victims set to appear in court when the trial commences in New York on 5 May.

Federal prosecutors have submitted a motion confirming that Cassie, who was previously identified in court documents as ‘Victim-1’, will not be anonymous while testifying.

Combs, 55, is facing five counts stemming from three federal charges, which include racketeering, sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion, as well as transportation for the purpose of engaging in prostitution.

He has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges and refutes any allegations of misconduct.

In a recent filing, prosecutors indicated: “(Cassie) is ready to testify under her own name.” Victim-2, Victim-3, and Victim-4 have requested that their identities remain confidential from the press and the public.

In the update, they stated: “This case has already garnered significant media attention, which will likely continue to grow as the trial progresses.”

“Allowing these measures will safeguard the victims’ identities from unnecessary public exposure, protecting them from media harassment, undue embarrassment, and other negative repercussions that would likely arise if these women were compelled to disclose their real names during the trial.”

Cassie and Combs were together from 2007 until 2018.

In November 2023, she initiated a civil lawsuit against him, claiming various forms of abuse.

The case was resolved outside of court the following day, yet the complaint paved the way for additional civil claims against Combs, encompassing allegations of rape from both female and male accusers.

Not long after, the FBI conducted raids on three of Combs’ properties, leading to his arrest on 16 September.

He is presently in custody without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

In May, CNN released security footage from the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles that purportedly shows Combs assaulting Cassie.

In the video, Combs is seen kicking and dragging her as she waits for an elevator.

In a court filing dated March 13, his legal team alleged that CNN had manipulated the footage, claiming that the video was altered by removing the time stamp, changing the sequence, and increasing the playback speed.

Last week, prosecutors submitted a revised indictment against Combs, adding new charges of sex trafficking and transportation for the purpose of engaging in prostitution related to a second alleged victim.

The recent filing states that Combs “recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, obtained, advertised, maintained, patronized, and solicited (Victim-2), and attempted, aided and abetted, and willfully caused (Victim-2) to engage in commercial sex acts, knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that (Victim-2) was engaging in commercial sex acts as a result of force, fraud, and coercion.”

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Combs’ legal representatives stated: “These are not new allegations or new accusers.” The individuals in question are the same former long-term girlfriends who participated in consensual relationships. This was their intimate life, characterized by mutual agreement, not force.