Cassie Ventura is asking a federal judge to permanently dismiss Clayton Howard’s $35 million lawsuit, arguing that cases like his could deter sexual assault survivors from speaking out or cooperating with prosecutors.
Cassie’s legal team said Howard’s claims amount to an attack on a woman whose allegations helped expose abuse by Sean “Diddy” Combs.
“It is precisely baseless and harassing lawsuits like Mr. Howard’s that disincentivize actual victims of sexual abuse from coming forward or testifying truthfully as government witnesses,” attorney Douglas Wigdor said.
Howard, a former escort who worked under the name “Dave,” sued Cassie and Diddy in June 2025. He alleges they trafficked, drugged and sexually exploited him during paid encounters that stretched across several years.
He is seeking $35 million, plus money for medical care, mental health treatment and other expenses.
Cassie denies the allegations and her attorneys argue Howard’s own complaint repeatedly identifies Diddy as the person who controlled the encounters, ordered security workers and decided when sessions ended.
They also note Howard does not accuse Cassie of physically attacking or threatening him.
Judge Anne Hwang dismissed all claims against Cassie on July 23 but allowed Howard to amend them and he quickly filed another complaint on August 3.
Cassie now wants the remaining trafficking and sexual assault claims dismissed for good.
