Casandra “Cassie” Ventura is set to take the stand under her own name in the highly anticipated sex trafficking trial of her former partner, Sean “Diddy” Combs, PEOPLE has exclusively confirmed.
In a motion filed Friday, April 4, federal prosecutors revealed that “Victim-1” would not be testifying anonymously in the May 5 trial—confirming that the 38-year-old singer and model is prepared to publicly testify against Combs.
“She is prepared to testify under her own name,” the filing states.
Three additional victims—referred to as Victim-2, Victim-3, and Victim-4—will testify anonymously due to privacy concerns and fear of media backlash. Prosecutors have requested that the court restrict the defense from disclosing any identifying information about the anonymous women.
“Permitting these measures will prevent unnecessary public disclosure of the victims’ identities, and the harassment from the media and others,” the filing reads. “Undue embarrassment and other adverse consequences would almost certainly follow if these women were forced to reveal their true names publicly at trial.”
Serious Federal Charges Against Combs
Combs, 55, is facing a sweeping array of charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Initially indicted in September 2024, a new superseding indictment was unsealed on April 4, adding additional charges tied to a second victim.
The indictment alleges that Combs and his associates lured victims under the pretense of romantic interest or professional opportunities before coercing them—sometimes violently—into what prosecutors describe as “freak offs”, elaborate sex performances orchestrated by the music mogul.
One new count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion alleges Combs actively recruited, enticed, and maintained Victim-2 for commercial sex acts through manipulation and threats.
Cassie’s Explosive Allegations
Cassie first made headlines in November 2023, when she filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of years of abuse, trafficking, and violence. That case was quickly settled, but public interest reignited in May 2024 when CNN released shocking surveillance footage from a Los Angeles hotel in 2016, appearing to show Combs chasing, assaulting, and kicking Ventura.
In the video, Ventura is seen approaching a bank of elevators when Combs charges her, throws her to the ground, and violently kicks her before seizing her belongings.
Combs’ legal team has since claimed the footage was “substantially altered” by CNN, accusing the network of manipulating the timeline and sequence to exaggerate the severity of the incident.
“It’s not surprising that Combs would make a disingenuous argument to exclude the disturbing video,” Cassie’s attorney Douglas Wigdor told PEOPLE. “I am confident that the video fairly and accurately represents what happened… and that Combs will be held accountable for his depravity.”
Awaiting Trial Behind Bars
Combs remains incarcerated at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center as he awaits trial. He has pleaded not guiltyto all charges.
The trial, scheduled for May 5, is expected to be one of the most closely watched criminal cases of the year, with a combination of celebrity, federal charges, and explosive testimony poised to grip national attention.
Representatives for both Ventura and Combs have not commented publicly on the latest developments.