Dawn Richard, former member of girl group Danity Kane, has testified that she witnessed Diddy assault his ex-girlfriend, Casanda ‘Cassie’ Ventura.
Her testimony was given on Friday (May 16) during the United States v. Combs trial, where Diddy (real name Sean Combs) faces up to life in prison on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution.
This week, Ventura, who dated the Bad Boy Entertainment founder from 2007 to 2018, graphically detailed being allegedly assaulted and groomed to participate in ‘freak-offs’ throughout their relationship.
While on the stand, Richard corroborated her former labelmate’s assault accusations, recalling an incident where Diddy allegedly tried to hit Ventura with a pan. At the time, Richard was a member of music trio Diddy – Dirty Money, who were recording at Diddy’s Los Angeles home.
“I observed Cassie being attacked by Sean Combs. He came downstairs belligerent, asking where his food was,” Richard claimed, according to notes from Complex reporter Shawn Setaro.
Ventura was in the kitchen cooking eggs while the group continued to record in the evening, but was allegedly confronted by an enraged Diddy.
“He came downstairs angry, saying where the fuck is his eggs,” Richard alleged. “Telling [Cassie] she never does anything right. He took the skillet with the eggs in it and tried to hit her over the head with it.”
Richard also claimed that Ventura fell to the ground before going into a fetal position to protect herself from Diddy’s “anticipated” blows. The vocalist also accused Diddy of punching and kicking Ventura in the body and head before dragging her by the hair into his bedroom, where a struggle continued.
“I was scared for her, and scared to do anything… I was scared if I intervened, it might get worse,” Richard said.
In November 2023, Ventura sued Diddy for sexual assault and abuse throughout their decade-long relationship. The lawsuit was quickly settled, and this week, Ventura revealed that Diddy paid her $20 million.
Last September, Dawn Richard sued Diddy for sexual assault, battery and inhumane treatment. The music mogul denied the allegations and claimed that she was seeking promotion for her latest album.
