U.S. Disturbing video appears to show Sean "Diddy" Combs assaulting singer Cassie Ventura

 

Video footage obtained by CNN appears to show Sean "Diddy" Combs assaulting his former partner.CNN

Security footage aired by CNN appears to capture Sean "Diddy" Combs assaulting singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016, marking the latest in a series of public allegations and revelations regarding physical and sexual violence involving the hip-hop mogul.

Airing on Friday, the video depicts Combs, clad only in a white towel, allegedly punching and kicking the R&B singer, who was his protege and long-term girlfriend at the time. Additionally, the footage portrays Combs shoving and dragging Cassie, as well as hurling a vase in her direction.

Dated March 5, 2016, the security camera footage closely mirrors the description of an incident at an InterContinental Hotel in the Century City area of Los Angeles outlined in a November lawsuit filed by Cassie, whose legal name is Cassandra Ventura. The lawsuit alleged years of sexual abuse and other forms of violence perpetrated by Combs.

The lawsuit alleges that Combs paid the hotel $50,000 for the security video. While CNN did not disclose how it obtained the video, it confirmed the location by comparing the footage to publicly available images of the InterContinental Hotel.

Cassie's lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed, yet it triggered intense scrutiny of Combs. Following this, several more lawsuits were filed in the subsequent months, and a federal criminal sex-trafficking investigation ensued, leading authorities to raid Combs' mansions in Los Angeles and Miami.

Representatives for Combs did not immediately comment on the video. However, he has previously denied the allegations in the lawsuits, and his legal team has asserted his innocence, vowing to contest the accusations.

"The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs," stated Douglas Wigdor, an attorney representing Cassie, who has filed additional lawsuits against Combs. "Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light."

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office released a statement on Friday evening expressing their concern over the disturbing nature of the images depicted in the video. However, they indicated their inability to press charges related to the incident due to its occurrence in 2016.

"As of today, law enforcement has not presented a case related to the attack depicted in the video against Mr. Combs, but we encourage anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report it to law enforcement or reach out to our office for support from our Bureau of Victims Services," stated the district attorney's office.

According to the lawsuit, the altercation began after Combs became "extremely intoxicated" and punched Ventura, resulting in a black eye. After he fell asleep, she attempted to leave, which is where the events captured in the video allegedly commenced. Ventura can be seen heading toward a bank of elevators with a packed bag, only for Combs to awaken and pursue her down the hall, as described in the suit. He is then depicted violently assaulting her, dragging her to the ground, kicking her, and throwing vases in her direction.

Video footage obtained by CNN appears to show Sean "Diddy" Combs assaulting his former partner.CNN

The lawsuit details that she managed to escape but later returned out of fear that failing to do so would subject her to further abuse. Upon her return, hotel staff urged her to return to her apartment, according to the suit. Subsequently, she fled and sought refuge with a friend in Florida.

The lawsuit alleges that Combs paid the hotel $50,000 for the security video.

Criminal charges against Combs for the attack are deemed unlikely. The statutes of limitations for assault or battery in California range from one to three years, depending on whether they are charged as misdemeanors or felonies.

The release of the video coincides with Combs and his legal team's efforts to combat the steady stream of allegations that emerged since November. Recently, motions were filed to dismiss portions of a lawsuit alleging sexual assault in 1991 and to dismiss all claims of a lawsuit alleging rape in 2003, with court filings denouncing both sets of accusations as false.

On March 25, Homeland Security Investigations executed search warrants at Combs' residences in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a sex-trafficking investigation. His lawyer criticized the operation as "a gross use of military-level force." The investigation remains ongoing, and Combs has not been charged.

Combs, a three-time Grammy winner and the founder of Bad Boy Records, stands as one of the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past three decades. His hip-hop achievements have expanded into a diverse business empire encompassing private-label spirits, fashion, and a TV network. Since the emergence of the allegations, he has had to step back from some of his business roles.

He and Ventura began dating in 2007, maintaining an on-and-off relationship for over a decade.

Ventura gained prominence with her hit single "Me & U," which topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in 2006. The song served as the lead single from her self-titled and only studio album.

As an actor, she has appeared in various television shows and films, including Fox's "Empire," "Step Up 2: The Streets," and "Spenser Confidential."

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