The lawsuit was brought by Clayton Howard, a male escort, who alleges he was hired to engage in sexual activity with Ventura during incidents previously described in media reports as “freak-offs.” Howard further claims the encounters led to him contracting a sexually transmitted disease, as well as a pregnancy-related situation that, according to him, resulted in an abortion. He also accuses those involved of sexual abuse, alleging lasting psychological harm.
Howard’s filing presents a wide-ranging set of accusations, all of which remain unproven in court.
Ex-Girlfriend Steps Into the Case
In a development reported by TMZ, Howard’s former girlfriend, Francyna Owens, has reportedly reached out to Cassie’s legal team in an effort to challenge his claims.
Owens is said to have alerted Ventura’s attorneys after learning about the lawsuit, telling them that Howard has a history of litigation. She allegedly described what she called a “pattern and practice of filing abusive and frivolous lawsuits,” suggesting that the current case follows a similar pattern.
Motion to Dismiss Cites Credibility Concerns
Ventura’s legal team has since incorporated Owens’ statements into a motion seeking to have the case dismissed. In court filings, her lawyers argue that Howard has a track record of repeated legal disputes, stating that he “is no stranger to the legal system” and “often uses it to pursue personal vendettas and rectify perceived wrongs.”
The motion references earlier legal actions Howard has taken against individuals and organisations, which the defence is using to question the credibility and intent behind the current allegations.
Background and Prior Settlement
Ventura previously settled a separate lawsuit against Combs in 2023 for $20 million, which involved allegations of sexual misconduct. Following that settlement, she relocated outside the United States.
Meanwhile, both Ventura and Combs have denied wrongdoing in relation to the current allegations raised by Howard.
It is important to note that the claims made in the lawsuit remain allegations only, and no court has made any determination regarding their truth or legal merit.