Cassie Seeks Permanent Dismissal of $35M Lawsuit Brought by Clayton Howard
Attorneys representing Casandra Ventura have asked a federal judge to permanently dismiss a $35 million lawsuit filed by Clayton Howard. The defense argues Howard's revised assault allegations contradict his earlier court filings regarding an October 2014 encounter.
In court documents filed on October 7, attorneys representing recording artist Casandra "Cassie" Ventura requested a permanent dismissal of civil claims brought against her by Clayton Howard. According to court filings reported by AllHipHop, Ventura's legal team asked U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang to reject Howard's fifth amended complaint without granting him further leave to revise his allegations.
The legal battle stems from a lawsuit initially filed by Howard in June 2025, operating under the pseudonym Dave. Howard's latest court submissions seek $35 million in damages—an increase from his initial $20 million demand—plus additional costs for alleged injuries. His lawsuit names Ventura and Sean "Diddy" Combs, alleging a pattern of sexual exploitation, manipulation, and trafficking arising from paid encounters.
A central point of contention in Ventura's latest motion involves an October 2014 encounter between Ventura and Howard in Beverly Hills. Ventura's defense attorneys argue that Howard's previous complaint acknowledged he became upset only after realizing Ventura was menstruating during intercourse. However, in his latest revised filing, Howard alleges that he verbally demanded that intercourse stop while it was occurring. Ventura's counsel asserted in their filing that this newly added detail contradicts his prior sworn statements, noting that Howard previously described objecting only after the sexual encounter had concluded.
Ventura's legal team further argued that Howard's own pleadings indicate he operated as a paid male companion who voluntarily accepted monetary compensation and repeatedly engaged in encounters over a seven-year period beginning in 2009. The defense stated in filings that Howard's claims fail to establish that Ventura used force, fraud, or coercion to compel his participation beyond what he had agreed to perform for money.
Additionally, Ventura's filing addresses claims regarding a December 2016 encounter in Miami. While Howard previously alleged he was confined inside a hotel suite belonging to the defendants, Ventura's lawyers pointed out that his revised filing places him inside an adjoining hotel room rather than trapped in the main suite. Her defense team also emphasized that court records portray Ventura as subject to Combs's control and direction, noting allegations that Combs physically assaulted Ventura during that same December 2016 incident.
Ventura's lawyers also countered Howard's allegations that she knowingly concealed a chlamydia infection prior to a May 2016 encounter. The defense noted that Howard withdrew claims regarding recurring infections and failed to present facts showing Ventura had knowledge of an infection prior to their meeting, pointing out that earlier filings showed Ventura later advised him to seek medical testing.
Howard has faced legal hurdles in
Judge Hwang previously dismissed claims against Ventura on July 23 while allowing Howard an opportunity to amend his complaint. Ventura's motion for permanent dismissal is scheduled for a hearing before Judge Hwang on October 21 at 1:30 p.m.