(NewsNation) — Casandra “Cassie” Ventura’s former best friend told jurors Monday that the singer had her sign a nondisclosure agreement after she was allegedly attacked by Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Kerry Morgan took the stand during the second week of testimony in the federal criminal trial for Combs and described a violent incident involving the music producer in 2018.
Morgan testified that Combs choked and then smashed a wooden hanger on her head when he came to Ventura’s Los Angeles home enraged because he thought Ventura was dating someone else.
The attack left her with a concussion, Morgan told jurors.
She said was going to sue Combs but then Ventura made her sign a nondisclosure agreement in return for $30,000 to keep quiet while also accusing her of “milking” and “overexaggerating” the attack.
The episode ended their long-term friendship, and the two haven’t spoken since.
Morgan also said that she had “moved on with her life” but had to testify in response to a government subpoena.
During her testimony, she said she saw Combs beat Ventura at least twice, including once so severely that she thought her friend had been “knocked out.”
“He controlled everything. She would’ve lost all of her livelihood,” Morgan said, noting that Combs paid for Cassie’s car and apartment.
Combs is facing federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Ventura gave a four-day-long testimony last week where she told jurors that she endured a decade of abuse during their relationship. She testified to being beaten, kicked and punched by Combs.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.