Diddy has been accused by Akademiks of “staging” photos of his distraught reaction to Cassie‘s bombshell lawsuit.
The Bad Boy boss was photographed outside of his Star Island mansion in Miami on Saturday (November 18) alongside what appeared to be his longtime chief of staff, Kristina Khorram.
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The images, which appear to have been taken covertly, show Diddy looking “stressed” and “solemn,” according to TMZ, with one photo showing him with his head in his hands.
However, Akademiks believes the whole thing was a publicity stunt.
“No Way diddy staged them sad ass pics… Lol Im in the media.. i know that shit cap asf.. lol,” he wrote on X on Sunday (November 19). “Bruh settled the case tho… no need for them sad ass staged tmz pics.”
No Way diddy staged them sad ass pics… Lol Im in the media.. i know that shit cap asf.. lol. Bruh settled the case tho… no need for them sad ass staged tmz pics.
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) November 20, 2023
Cassie (real name Casandra Ventura) accused Diddy of rape, sex trafficking and sexual battery, among other crimes, in a lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court last week.
The suit claimed the music mogul beat the singer “multiple times a year” over the course of their decade-long relationship, while also plying her with “copious amounts” of drugs and forcing her to have sex with male prostitutes while he filmed and masturbated to the encounters.
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She also claimed that towards the end of their relationship in 2018, Diddy forced her way into her apartment and raped her while she “repeatedly said ‘no’ and tried to push him away.”
Puff is also alleged to have orchestrated a plan to blow up Kid Cudi’s car in 2012 after he discovered that Cassie was romantically involved with the “Day ‘N’ Nite” rapper. A rep for Cudi confirmed to The New York Times that one of his cars exploded in his driveway.
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Diddy vehemently denied the allegations, with his attorney Ben Brafman claiming: “For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura’s persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail.
“Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’s reputation and seeking a payday.”
Just one day after the lawsuit was filed, Cassie and Diddy agreed to settle.
“I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control,” Cassie said in a statement via the New York Post. “I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.”
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Diddy shared his own statement, in which he explained that the former couple had come to an amicable agreement. “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably,” he said. “I wish Cassie and her family all the best.”
His lawyer added: “Just so we’re clear, a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing. Mr. Combs‘ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”
