Cassie has scored a decisive courtroom victory in her ongoing legal battle with former male escort Clayton Howard.
A federal judge has dismissed all of the claims currently levelled against the singer, marking a major setback for Howard after Cassie previously accused him of threats and harassment connected to the case.
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U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang dismissed most of Howard’s allegations with prejudice, meaning they cannot be filed again. He has, however, been given two weeks to attempt to amend a limited number of claims.
Howard sued Cassie and Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging that he suffered psychological injuries after participating in paid sexual encounters involving the former couple.
He further claimed that Cassie helped coordinate the so-called “freak offs,” which became a central part of her explosive courtroom testimony against Combs.
Cassie’s attorneys argued that Howard only pursued legal action after learning that she had secured a $20 million settlement from the mogul.
They also pointed to a message he sent her husband, Alex Fine, before the settlement figure became public:
“Your wife’s truth is 100% valid, as I’m sure you did as well; I would have come forward, and I’m glad she got some form of justice!”
Howard later insisted that the supportive message was merely a “velvet glove” tactic designed to prompt Cassie to contact him.
The judge also identified issues with his timeline. Howard acknowledged that the paid encounters, which occurred between 2009 and 2019, were consensual, while several allegations fell outside the statute of limitations.
The ruling arrives after Cassie revealed that she has moved outside the United States and has no intention of returning.
