The Los Angeles District Attorney issued a statement regarding the disturbing images from security cameras 2016 that shows Sean “Diddy” Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, an R&B singer Cassia Ventura.
After CNN shared the video on Friday, the district attorney’s office shared a statement on social media on Saturday that said: “We are aware of the video circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles. extremely disturbing and difficult to watch images.”
“If the conduct described occurred in 2016, unfortunately we would not be able to charge, as the conduct would have occurred beyond the time frame in which a crime of assault can be prosecuted,” the statement continues. “To date, authorities have not brought any cases 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 authorities or contact our office to support from our Victim Services Department.”
The security footage, dated March 5, 2016, shows Combs grabbing, pushing, dragging and kicking Ventura in clips compiled from multiple camera angles. The footage corresponds to an incident highlighted in the Ventura explosive 35-page processfiled in November 2023, in which she made explicit and disturbing accusations against Diddy, including an allegation that he raped her in 2018.
Cassie and Diddy went public with their relationship in 2012, although they were romantically linked as early as 2007. In 2008, they collaborated on his song, “Swagga Like Puff,” and in 2009, they worked together on her song, “Must Be Love.” They separated permanently in October 2018.
Cassia claimed the “Missing You” rapper began a pattern of control and abuse just a few years after signing her to his Bad Boy Records label. She alleged that Diddy’s control over her included him introducing her “to a lifestyle of excessive alcohol and substance abuse and demanding that she obtain illicit prescriptions to satisfy his own vices.”
The singer also claimed that Diddy used to punch, beat, kick and stomp her, resulting in bruises, busted lips, black eyes and bleeding.
According to CNN, the footage appears to show the father of seven during an incident this, according to Ventura’s complaint, occurred at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.
In the video, Ventura is seen leaving a hotel room and walking to a set of elevators. Combs, holding a towel around his waist, runs after the model and grabs her by the back of the head, throwing her to the ground. He then turns to kick her as she lies on the ground.
Combs retrieves Ventura’s purse and weekend bag from the floor near the elevators before turning to kick Ventura again. He then begins dragging Ventura by the collar of his sweatshirt towards a room before leaving.
Douglas H. Wigdor, Ventura’s attorney, shared a statement with ET in response to the video’s revelation. “The distressing video only further confirmed Mr. Combs’ disturbing and predatory behavior,” he said. “Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura demonstrated in coming forward to bring this to light.”
Ventura and Combs resolved your case a day later she filed.
In a statement to ET at the time, Combs said, “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably.” He added, “I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”
“Just to be clear, the decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing,” his attorney, Ben Brafman, said in a statement to ET. “Mr. Combs’ decision to settle the lawsuit in no way undermines his full denial of the claims. He is pleased that they have reached a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”
Sources close to the situation told ET, “The decision to reach a quick and private settlement was largely influenced by considerations for Diddy’s family.”
But it’s far from the end of Combs’ legal troubles. The media mogul currently faces five other civil lawsuits accusing him of a series of sexual misconduct It is other illegal activity. Diddy broke your silence after the fourth lawsuit was filed less than a month after the first three lawsuits. He took to Instagram and said, “Enough is enough.”
He added: “Over the past few weeks, I have sat silently and watched people attempt to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Disgusting allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be completely clear: I I didn’t do any of the horrible things that are being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and the truth.”
In March, Combs’ homes were raided with reports that the raids were linked to sex trafficking allegations. His sons Christian and Justin Combs were handcuffed outside his Los Angeles home amid an operation run by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which also raided the music mogul’s Miami home.
In a statement to ET, HSI would only say that the operations were “part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners.” It has been reported that the raids are linked to allegations of sex trafficking and that the investigation is led by the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
At this point, it is unclear whether any of the sexual assault lawsuits filed against Combs are linked to the operations. But a source previously counted Rolling Stone that four Jane Does and one John Doe had already participated in interviews with investigators for an investigation related to an alleged sex trafficking and RICO case, and additional interviews were also scheduled.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233or go to thehotline.org. All calls are free and confidential.
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