Cassie Ventura Finally Lawyers Up as $20 Million Lawsuit Clock Ticks
Cassie Ventura has officially stepped into the legal arena, and the timing could not be more critical.
Cassie Enters Counsel After Judge Warns of Default Judgment
Media Take Out has learned that Cassie Ventura has formally retained legal counsel in the explosive civil lawsuit filed by former escort Clayton Howard, just days after a federal judge issued a stunning warning that her continued silence could lead to a $20 million default judgment against her.
Court records show that on December 11, Cassie’s attorney, Melodie Han of Wigdor LLP, filed a Notice of Appearance in the case Clayton Howard v. Sean Combs et al. This filing officially places Cassie under legal representation in the matter.
However, the filing is notable for what it does not include.
No Defense Filed Yet
At this stage, Cassie has not filed an answer, not moved to dismiss the case, and has not responded to the allegations in any way. The Notice of Appearance simply confirms that she now has a lawyer on record.
In other words, the clock is still ticking.
Judge Declares Cassie “Unreachable”
This move comes on the heels of a major procedural ruling by the judge overseeing the case. According to court documents, Clayton Howard detailed at least nine failed attempts to serve Cassie at multiple addresses in New York and Connecticut.
Howard also told the court that Cassie’s legal representatives previously refused to accept service on her behalf, effectively keeping her out of reach.
The judge wasn’t buying it.
Alternate Service Approved
In a sharp ruling, the court agreed that Cassie had become effectively unreachable and approved alternate service, allowing Howard to legally notify her through nontraditional means such as electronic delivery or public notice.
Once alternate service is completed, Cassie is legally considered served whether she responds or not.
The $20 Million Risk
That’s where things get serious.
Under federal civil procedure rules, if a defendant fails to respond after proper service, the court can issue a default judgment. In this case, that could mean the judge grants Howard everything he’s asking for without Cassie ever presenting a defense.
And Howard is asking for up to $20 million in damages.
Why This Matters
Cassie’s decision to finally retain counsel suggests she understands the gravity of the situation. But simply hiring a lawyer does not stop the legal process. Without a formal response on the record, the risk remains very real.
For now, Cassie is no longer silent in name only. The next move will determine whether this case becomes a full-blown courtroom battle or one of the most expensive defaults tied to the ongoing legal fallout surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Stay locked. This one is far from over.