Singer and model Cassie Ventura will testify under her real name in the upcoming federal trial against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, making her the only known alleged victim in the case to forgo anonymity.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Cassie is identified as “Victim 1” in the indictment, and prosecutors have confirmed she will testify openly when the trial begins on May 5 in federal court. The decision stands in contrast to three other alleged victims, whose identities remain sealed due to concerns over harassment, retaliation, and public exposure.
Cassie’s involvement has been a focal point in the broader investigation against Combs, stemming from a November 2023 lawsuit in which she accused the hip-hop executive of rape, abuse, and human trafficking.
That civil case was settled swiftly out of court but unleashed a series of similar lawsuits and widened federal scrutiny into Combs’ alleged criminal enterprise.
The prosecution’s case, led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, centers on charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs, who is being held pre-trial at MDC Brooklyn, has pleaded not guilty and denies all allegations. His legal team was recently provided with the names of the previously anonymous accusers, though those identities remain shielded from the public.
Of note, Cassie’s allegations were tied to hotel surveillance footage—reportedly referenced in the indictment and previously aired by CNN. The video, which was later allegedly destroyed, is believed to have captured incidents relevant to the government’s case.
Cassie’s testimony may prove critical as federal prosecutors seek to establish a pattern of coercive control and trafficking. Legal experts say her visibility and willingness to go public could significantly bolster the credibility of the other victims, even if they remain anonymous in court.
The trial is expected to draw extensive national media attention and could set a landmark precedent in how courts handle celebrity-linked human trafficking and RICO cases.
Combs has not issued a public statement regarding Cassie’s upcoming testimony, but his defense has continued to denounce the charges as “baseless” and “politically motivated.”
