Theo Wargo/Getty Sean "Diddy" Combsallegedly became so enraged whenCasandra "Cassie" Venturabegan dating rapper Kid Cudi during a break in their relationship that he threatened to blow up his car — which exploded in his driveway in 2012. Last week, Ventura testified about the alleged threat when she was on the stand in Combs' federal trial; Combs has denied making such a threat. Jurors will now hear from the "Pursuit of Happiness" rapper himself, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, as he takes the stand on Thursday, May 22, in Manhattan federal court where Combs is facing charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.Combs has pleaded not guilty. Federal prosecutors are alleging that Combs ran a criminal enterprise for more than two decades and committed such crimes as arson, bribery and kidnapping. In 2012, Mescudi's car was set ablaze by an incendiary device, according to police reports obtained byRolling Stone. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE's free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Ventura detailed the alleged threat and attack in her 2023 civil lawsuit against Combs, which she settled for $20 million, she testified last week. The settlement came with no admission of liability. Related:Cassie's Injured Eye and Bruises Shown in Disturbing Photos Released by Prosecutors In Ventura's lawsuit, she alleged that in 2011 she tried to get away from Combs, who she said had been abusing her and forcing her to take part in "Freak Offs" — marathon sex sessions, often with male escorts. In 2011, according to the suit, she had a "brief relationship" with Mescudi during a "rough patch" with Combs, whom she began dating in 2007. When Combs returned from a trip in early 2012, he demanded Ventura take part in another Freak Off, according to her suit. "She acquiesced." During this Freak Off, Combs discovered emails between her and Mescudi on her phone, according to the suit. Ventura fled to Mescudi's home but eventually went back to Combs because she felt like "she could not escape Mr. Combs and his network of enforcers," according to the suit. Combs allegedly beat her when she returned, according to the suit. She went to her parents' home in Connecticut, where her mother took pictures of the bruises Combs allegedly left on Ventura's body, which were shown to the jury last week. Courtesy SDNY "In February 2012, during Paris Fashion Week, Mr. Combs told Ms. Ventura that he was going to blow up Kid Cudi's car and that he wanted to ensure that Kid Cudi was home with his friends when it happened," the suit alleges. "Around that time, Kid Cudi's car exploded in the driveway." Mescudi confirmed that accounttoThe New York Timesin 2023. Combs could face up to life in prison if he is convicted on all counts. Since his arrest, he has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org. Read the original article onPeople
