New York City — The federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs continued Thursday, as his former longtime girlfriend, singer and model Cassie Ventura, underwent intense cross-examination by defense attorneys in Manhattan’s Southern District Court.

The cross-examination followed Ventura’s gripping testimony earlier in the week, where she detailed years of alleged abuse, forced participation in sex acts, and psychological manipulation during her 11-year relationship with Combs.

Defense Challenges Cassie Ventura’s Testimony in Diddy Trial

During Thursday’s proceedings, Diddy’s legal team sought to cast doubt on Ventura’s claims. Attorneys questioned her about a specific incident in which Combs allegedly threw one of her friends into patio furniture during a confrontation on a balcony. When asked whether she heard about the event later, Ventura replied firmly: “I saw it happen.”

In another line of questioning, attorneys delved into Ventura’s admitted drug use during her time with Combs. She acknowledged using ketamine, which she said caused her to “disassociate” and feel as if “you’re not there.” Ventura also admitted to using opiates and cocaine, stating she and Combs often referred to themselves as “get-high partners.”

Combs’ defense pointed to contradictions, claiming Combs discouraged her drug use—though Ventura argued his concern was selective: “It was only a problem when I wasn’t doing drugs with him.”

Violence, Control, and Emotional Abuse

Cassie Ventura also recounted additional instances of violence during the cross-examination. She testified that Combs once threw a wooden clothes hanger at a friend while she was in the bathroom. Though she didn’t witness the act directly, she heard the disturbance and saw her friend injured afterward. She paid the friend a settlement, saying, “I felt responsible.”

Ventura said this incident occurred while she was secretly dating Alex Fine, the man she later married in 2019. At the time, Combs was unaware of their relationship.

Defense Attempts to Undermine Motive

In a move to suggest ulterior motives, Combs’ legal team presented text messages and emails between the former couple in which Ventura expressed affection and asked for more of Combs’ attention. Defense lawyers alleged that her lawsuit and testimony were driven by revenge and financial incentive, emphasizing their position that all sex acts were “consensual among adults.”

However, Ventura stood by her previous claims that the sexual encounters were orchestrated by Combs under coercion and often included video recordings used for blackmail. She testified earlier that Combs hosted drug-fueled orgies, which he recorded, and that she suffered both physically and emotionally as a result.

Diddy Faces Life in Prison if Convicted

Sean “Diddy” Combs, 55, is facing five federal charges:

• One count of racketeering conspiracy

• Two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion

• Two counts of transportation for the purpose of prostitution

If convicted on all counts, the Bad Boy Records founder could face life in federal prison. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Trial Continues in High-Profile Federal Case

The trial is taking place in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, drawing national attention due to the celebrity status of those involved. Cassie Ventura’s husband, fitness trainer Alex Fine, was seen arriving at court Thursday to support his wife, who is currently eight months pregnant with their third child.

This case marks one of the most high-profile celebrity sex trafficking trials in recent U.S. legal history, drawing comparisons to other major abuse cases involving public figures.

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