The emergence of CCTV footage allegedly depicting Sean “Diddy” Combs attacking singer Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016 has caused a stir. The video resurfaced following Ventura’s allegations against Combs in a lawsuit last year.
While Ventura has not commented directly, her lawyer stated that the footage supports her claims of “disturbing and predatory behavior” by Combs.
The CCTV footage was captured at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. In the clip, Cassie Ventura is seen leaving a hotel room and walking towards a row of elevators.
A shirtless man, believed to be Sean “Diddy” Combs, is seen holding a towel around his waist as he hurriedly moves down the hallway.
The footage shows the man, purportedly Sean “Diddy” Combs, catching up to Cassie Ventura, grabbing her, and throwing her to the floor, causing her to drop some luggage.
He proceeds to kick her while she’s on the ground, picks up her bags, kicks her again, and attempts to drag her by her shirt.
After briefly leaving the scene, he returns and shoves Ventura as she stands up. He then sits in a chair near the elevators and throws an object.
A lawyer for R&B singer Ms Ventura, Douglas Wigdor, said in a statement:
“The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behaviour of Mr Combs.
“Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office said on Friday that the assault captured in the video might be too old to prosecute.
“We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch,” it said in a statement.
“If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.”
The lawsuit claimed that the rap mogul had bought the footage from the hotel for $50,000 (£39,000).
Ventura’s legal action against Combs, alleging rape and sexual trafficking spanning over a decade, was settled for an undisclosed amount just one day after it was filed in November last year.
Combs’ lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, emphasized that the settlement “is in no way an admission of wrongdoing.”
“Mr Combs’ 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 and wishes Ms Ventura the best.”
Since then, several other women have filed lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct against the rapper. Last month, his homes in Los Angeles and Miami, Florida, were raided as part of a federal investigation into human trafficking.
Cassie Ventura was formally signed to Mr. Combs’ record label, Bad Boy, and released several hits in the 2000s, including songs featuring Diddy.
Some of her most famous tracks include “Me & U,” “Long Way to Go,” and “Official Girl,” featuring Lil Wayne.
