In a disturbing development, hotel surveillance footage from 2016 has emerged, allegedly showing Sean “Diddy” Combs violently attacking his former partner, Cassie Ventura.
The video, obtained and released by CNN, corroborates the details of an incident Ventura described in her lawsuit against the music mogul, which was settled last year.
The Incident Unfolds
The footage, dated March 5, 2016, shows a chaotic and violent scene at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.
Combs is seen running after Ventura, clad in a towel, as she stands in front of an elevator bank.
In a series of aggressive actions, Combs grabs Ventura and drags her down, kicking her before picking up her luggage.
He then drags her back towards a hotel room while she tries to protect her head. The scene continues as Ventura, moments later, returns to the elevator area and picks up a phone on the wall.
Combs then reappears, shoves her into a corner, and throws an object at her while sitting on a nearby chair.
Verification and Reaction
CNN verified the footage using publicly available photos of the hotel’s interior, confirming the location of the incident.
The release of this video has sparked outrage and highlighted the severity of Ventura’s allegations. Ventura’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs.
Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”
Legal Battle and Allegations
Ventura, who was in a long-term relationship with Combs from the early 2000s, filed a lawsuit in New York federal court last November.
Her lawsuit included serious allegations such as sex trafficking, human trafficking, sexual battery, sexual assault, and gender-motivated violence.
Ventura claimed that she was lured into a pattern of abuse, which involved forced drug use, rape, battery, and coerced sex acts with male sex workers.
According to Ventura, Combs paid $50,000 for the hotel’s surveillance footage of the incident, a detail that aligns with what is seen in the video.
Settlement and Subsequent Actions
Ventura settled her lawsuit with Combs just one day after filing it. Despite the settlement, her legal action has encouraged several other alleged victims to come forward with similar accusations.
The allegations against Combs have not only led to civil lawsuits but also a federal investigation.
Federal Investigation and Raids
On March 25, Department of Homeland Security agents conducted raids on Combs’ multimillion-dollar mansion in Los Angeles and his Miami waterfront home.
These raids are part of an ongoing federal investigation into Combs, who faces a growing list of civil lawsuits alleging abuse and sexual assault by multiple victims over the past three decades. Combs has consistently denied all allegations against him.
Public Reaction and Combs’ Response
In the wake of these revelations and legal troubles, Combs has kept a relatively low profile. However, he has been spotted in Miami and its surrounding areas.
On May 14, he posted a cryptic message on his Instagram account that read, “Time tells the truth,” accompanied by the caption “Love” and several emojis, including a black heart, stars, and a lightning bolt.
View this post on Instagram
This post has garnered significant public attention, with many interpreting it as a response to the mounting allegations against him.
The emergence of this video evidence has intensified scrutiny of Sean “Diddy” Combs and brought renewed attention to the allegations of abuse and violence against him.
As the federal investigation continues and more victims potentially come forward, the situation remains dynamic and closely watched by both the public and the media.
