CNN
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2016 surveillance video obtained exclusively by CNN shows Sean “Diddy” Combs grabbing, pushing, dragging and kicking his then-girlfriend Cassie Vento during an argument Cassie Ventura, consistent with allegations in a now-settled federal lawsuit Ventura filed in November.
The footage, compiled from multiple camera angles on March 5, 2016, appears to show the rapper, producer and business mogul going through an incident, which, according to Ventura’s complaint, took place at The now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. CNN (CNN) confirmed the location based on published photos of the interior of the former hotel.
In the video, Ventura leaves a hotel room and walks to a row of elevators. Combs followed Ventura through the hall with a towel tied around his waist. He grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and threw her to the floor. The video shows him still holding the towel with one hand before turning around and kicking her.
While Ventura was on the ground, Combs retrieved a wallet and suitcase from the floor near the elevator. As Ventura lay motionless on the floor, he turned around and kicked her again. The video shows about four seconds between kicks. He then dragged Ventura’s sweatshirt toward a room and walked away.
Ventura is then seen slowly standing up. She gathered items from the floor and picked up the phone on the wall in the hallway near the elevator. The comb was back, and I was still wrapped in a towel and socks. A mirror directly across from the monitor showed Combs appearing to tweet Tula.
Seconds later, he was sitting in a chair, grabbing an object from the table and throwing it forcefully at Ventura. Combs walked away, then turned to Ventura again when the elevator doors opened and someone appeared to exit.
Ventura, who reached an undisclosed settlement with Combs, declined to comment on the footage obtained by CNN.
Ventura’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, said: “This harrowing video is further evidence of Mr. Combs’ disturbing predatory behavior.” Words cannot express Ventura The courage and perseverance shown by the woman who came forward to expose this incident.
CNN has reached out to Combs’ representatives for comment. Combs has previously denied Ventura’s allegations.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office released a statement Friday regarding the 2016 surveillance footage.
“We are aware of videos circulating online purportedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles. We find these images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch,” a statement posted on Instagram read.
“If the conduct described had occurred in 2016, unfortunately we would not be able to file charges because the conduct occurred beyond the time limit within which an assault charge could be charged. As of today, law enforcement has not filed a complaint with Mr. Coombs as described in the video. assault-related cases, but we encourage any victims or witnesses of a crime to report it to law enforcement or contact our office for support from the Bureau of Victim Services,” the District Attorney’s Office said.
CNN has reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department regarding any further investigation or possible charges related to this incident but has not yet received a response.
An IHG representative told CNN on Friday, “This hotel is no longer managed by IHG and we do not have access to records or footage of the previous incident.”
Combs and Ventura, the model and singer known for songs like “Me & U,” had an on-and-off relationship from 2007 to 2018. Mode.
Ventura’s complaint states that the altercation occurred “in or about March 2016” and that Combs “was extremely intoxicated and punched Ms. Ventura in the face, swollen her face.”
After Combs fell asleep, Ventura tried to leave the hotel room, but he woke up and “followed her into the hotel hallway while yelling at her,” the complaint states.
“He grabbed her, then picked up a glass vase in the hallway and threw it at her, causing the glass to shatter around her as she ran toward the elevator to escape,” the complaint states.
After Ventura entered the elevator, her complaint states she took a cab to her apartment.
“After realizing that her escape would make Mr. Combs even angrier at her and fully entangled in his cycle of abuse, Ms. Ventura returned to the hotel with the intention of apologizing for running away from her abuser,” the complaint claims. “When she returned, hotel security officers urged her to get back into the taxi and go to her apartment, stating they had seen surveillance video showing Mr. Combs assaulting Ms. Ventura and throwing glass at her in a hotel hallway.”
Chris Delmas/AFP/Getty Images/File
On March 7, 2016, “Diddy” Sean Combs and Cassie Ventura attended the premiere of “The Perfect Match” in Los Angeles.
The complaint alleges that Combs paid Century City InterContinental Hotel $50,000 for hallway security tapes, one of several allegations made in a November lawsuit in which Ventura claimed she was raped in 2018 , and suffered multiple physical and other abuses from Combs over the years.
Ventura, who is officially signed to Combs’ label, claims in the lawsuit that Combs “exerted power and influence” over her throughout their professional and romantic relationship. She was 19 and Coombs was 37 when they met, and their business relationship lasted until 2019, according to the complaint. Engage in various sexual behaviors.
Combs’ attorney, Ben Brafman, said in a statement to CNN the day of the filing, “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous accusations.
The lawsuit was settled the next day.
“The decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing,” Brafman told CNN in a statement at the time. “Mr. Combs’ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way affect his categorical response to the allegations.” Denial. He was pleased they had reached a mutual settlement and wished Ms. Ventura well.
Details of the settlement were not disclosed.
Combs has faced five other civil lawsuits since November alleging a range of sexual misconduct and other illegal activities. He denies the accusations and the case is ongoing.
Authorities searched Combs’ homes in California and Florida in March as part of a federal investigation by a Department of Homeland Security team responsible for dealing with human trafficking crimes, according to a senior federal law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation. Another law enforcement source familiar with the investigation said the probe stems from many of the same sexual assault allegations made in civil lawsuits.
Combs’ attorney, Aaron Dyer, issued a statement at the time, calling the search a “gross excessive use of military force.”
“This unprecedented ambush, combined with a sophisticated, coordinated media presence, resulted in premature judgment against Mr. Coombs and was nothing more than a witch hunt based on baseless accusations in a civil lawsuit,” he said. Mr. Combs has not been found criminally or civilly responsible for any of these charges and will continue to fight for his innocence every day.
Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is struggling with intimate partner violence, there are resources available, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
A previous version of this story misstated the timing of the search at Combs’ home. They occur in March.
