Regina Ventura, mother of singer and model Cassie Ventura, took the stand Tuesday in the federal sex trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Her testimony detailed the threats and violence her daughter endured during a decade-long relationship with the rap producer, who faces serious federal charges.

Combs, 55, stands accused of operating an illegal sex trafficking ring that prosecutors say was maintained through coercion, arson, kidnapping, bribery, and other crimes. The trial in New York has drawn intense media scrutiny, revealing disturbing allegations of abuse and exploitation at the heart of the entertainment industry.

On Monday, prosecutors questioned Regina Ventura about an email sent to her by Cassie on December 23, 2011. In it, Cassie described threats made by Combs after he discovered she had been seeing rapper Kid Cudi (Scott Mescudi). According to the email read aloud in court, Cassie wrote:

“The threats that have been made to me by Sean Puffy Combs are that he is going to release two explicit tapes of me.”

She added, “He also said he will be having someone hurt me and Scott Mescudi physically.”

Ventura described the moment she read the email as physically sickening. “I did not understand it, the sex tape threw me,” she testified.

Cassie Ventura, who has been a key witness in the trial, previously testified about the alleged coercive and drug-fuelled sex parties organized by Combs, known as “freak-offs.” Defense attorneys have sought to undermine Cassie’s account, claiming she participated willingly.

Regina Ventura also disclosed that Combs demanded $20,000 from her daughter to recoup money he claimed to have spent on her during their relationship. The payment was made, Ventura testified, as a measure to ensure Cassie’s safety.

Photographs shown in court revealed bruises on Cassie’s body from late 2011. Regina Ventura explained, “She was bruised. We wanted to make sure we’d memorialized (that) she was beaten by Sean Combs.”

Once celebrated for his lavish lifestyle and credited with bringing hip-hop into mainstream culture, Combs now appears markedly aged after months in custody. Forbes estimates his fortune at around $700 million.

Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence. His defense maintains that although there was domestic abuse in his relationship with Cassie Ventura, it does not amount to sex trafficking.