Cassie Ventura moves to dismiss $35 million trafficking lawsuit

Cassie Ventura’s legal team has filed a motion asking a U.S. District Judge to permanently dismiss a $35 million lawsuit filed by Clayton Howard. Howard, a former male escort, alleges he was trafficked, drugged, and sexually exploited by Ventura and Sean “Diddy” Combs during paid encounters spanning nearly a decade.

Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, argues that the lawsuit is baseless and harassing. He stated that such litigation “disincentivize[s] actual victims of sexual abuse from coming forward or testifying truthfully as government witnesses.” The defense also disputes Howard’s claims regarding the exposure to chlamydia and argues that Howard’s own account fails to show that Ventura coerced or forced him into the encounters.

Howard’s complaint alleges that the encounters, which began around 2009, involved Combs directing and recording the sessions. He further claims that security personnel confiscated his identification and clothing, and that Ventura helped organize travel and used promises of gifts and money to maintain his involvement. Howard is seeking $35 million in damages for medical, mental health, and other expenses.