Cassie’s Mom Testifies Diddy Demanded $20K, Threatened Sex Tape Release

Regina Ventura, mother of singer Cassie Ventura, testified in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial, describing threats and violent behavior by Combs during her daughter's relationship with him. Regina recounted receiving a December 2011 message from Cassie, warning that Combs threatened to release explicit sex tapes and to harm both Cassie and rapper Kid Cudi, whom Cassie was seeing at the time. Fearing for her daughter's safety, Regina and her husband took out a home equity loan to pay Combs $20,000, as he demanded repayment for money spent on Cassie’s career, though the money was returned days later with no explanation. Courtroom evidence also included photographs Regina took of Cassie's bruises, allegedly from Combs. The defense did not cross-examine Regina, and her testimony was allowed despite attempts to block it for being prejudicial. Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and abuse, and faces significant prison time if convicted.