A 2016 surveillance video seems to indicate Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a lodge, mirroring an assault allegation Ventura made in a now-settled lawsuit she filed in opposition to the hip-hop mogul in November.
Within the video, obtained by CNN and dated March 5, 2016, Combs seems to shove Ventura to the bottom close to an elevator financial institution, kick her a number of instances whereas she lies on the bottom and drag her down a hallway.
After briefly dragging Ventura down the hallway, Combs, wrapped solely in a shower towel, seems to launch his grip. Ventura is then seen standing up earlier than gathering a few of her issues from the ground and transferring towards a cellphone within the hallway close to the elevators. Combs can then be seen returning and showing to shove Ventura. Simply seconds later, he sits in a chair, grabs one thing off of a desk and seems to throw it at her. He then walks away earlier than turning towards Ventura as soon as extra, simply as one of many elevator doorways opens and somebody is seen strolling out.
“The gut-wrenching video has solely additional confirmed the disturbing and predatory habits of Mr. Combs,” stated Ventura’s legal professional, Douglas Wigdor, in a press release despatched to Billboard. “Phrases can not specific the braveness and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has proven in coming ahead to convey this to mild.”
A consultant for Combs didn’t instantly reply to Billboard‘s request for remark.
Ventura sued Combs on Nov. 16, 2023, claiming that he repeatedly bodily abused her over the course of a decade, together with one allegation of rape when she tried to depart him in 2018. She additionally accused Combs of forcing her to have intercourse with male intercourse employees whereas he masturbated. In a press release on the time, Combs’ legal professional, Ben Brafman, stated the hip-hop large “vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations,” alleging that Ventura had made a “persistent demand” of a $30 million payout within the six months main as much as her lawsuit. Ventura’s lawyer responded by disputing Brafman’s declare, saying that Combs as an alternative provided Ventura “eight figures to silence her and forestall the submitting of this lawsuit.”
The case, which was filed underneath a newly enacted legislation in New York that created a restricted window for abuse survivors to take authorized motion over years-old accusations that might in any other case be barred underneath the statute of limitations, was settled the day after it was filed.
Ventura had an on-again, off-again relationship with Combs for 11 years till they cut up in 2018. Within the lawsuit, she stated she met Combs in 2005 when she was 19 and he was 37. After signing to his Unhealthy Boy Information label, Ventura claimed that Combs “lured” her right into a romantic relationship through which he “asserted full management” over her life.
Since Ventura filed her lawsuit, Combs has been hit with 4 further sexual misconduct lawsuits. In November, the mogul stepped down as chairman of his digital media firm Revolt earlier than reportedly promoting his stake within the firm in March. Additionally in March, federal brokers performed raids of Combs’ L.A. and Miami houses “in connection” with a federal intercourse trafficking investigation, in accordance with CNN.
Combs has strongly denied all allegations of sexual assault made in opposition to him. “Let me be completely clear: I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged,” he stated in a press release posted to social media on Dec. 6. “I’ll battle for my identify, my household and for the reality.”
