2016 surveillance footage shows Sean 'Diddy' Combs assaulting ex-girlfriend Cassie
A surveillance video from 2016, recently obtained by CNN, shows Sean 'Diddy' Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The footage, dated March 5, 2016, matches allegations made in a now-settled federal lawsuit filed by Ventura last November. The clip shows the Hollywood rapper, producer, and business mogul grabbing, shoving, dragging, and kicking Ventura. The incident reportedly occurred at the now-defunct InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles.
Video details Combs's aggressive actions toward Ventura
The unsettling video, which is going viral, reveals Ventura leaving a hotel room and heading toward the elevators. Combs, with a towel around his waist, chases her down the hallway. He is seen grabbing her by the neck, throwing her to the floor, and kicking her numerous times. After retrieving a purse and suitcase near the elevators, Combs kicks Ventura again while she lies motionless on the floor.
'Gut-wrenching video confirmed predatory behavior': Ventura's attorney
Responding to the footage, Ventura's attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, stated, "The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs." Ventura refrained from commenting on the video. To note, Combs and Ventura had an on-and-off relationship spanning from 2007 to 2018. Just two days after the altercation captured in the surveillance footage, they were photographed together at the LA premiere of A Perfect Match on March 7, 2016.
Revisiting Ventura's complaint detailing Combs's violent behavior
According to Ventura's complaint, an "extremely intoxicated" Combs "punched her in the face, giving her a black eye." Following this, when Combs fell asleep, the singer-model reportedly attempted to leave the hotel room. However, he woke up and "followed her." "He grabbed at her, and then took glass vases in the hallway and threw them at her...as she ran to the elevator to escape," the complaint alleged. Once Ventura reached the elevator, she took a cab to her apartment.
Combs paid $50K for the hallway security footage: Lawsuit
The lawsuit alleged that Combs paid the hotel $50K for the hallway security footage—one of several accusations outlined in the November lawsuit. Ventura claimed she was raped in 2018 and suffered years of repeated physical abuse by Combs. Ventura—formerly signed to Combs's label—asserted that he "exerted his power and influence" over her throughout their professional and romantic relationship. According to the complaint, they met when she was 19 and Combs was 37, and their business ties lasted until 2019.
Combs's attorney denied allegations, settled lawsuit
Combs's attorney, Ben Brafman, stated that "Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations." The lawsuit was settled the day after Brafman's statement. Brafman emphasized, "A decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing...Mr. Combs's decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement." The terms of the settlement were not revealed.
