Sean 'Diddy' Combs, a renowned music mogul, has been the subject of controversy following the release of a 2016 surveillance video that allegedly shows him physically assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. The incident occurred at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. In March 2016, Combs temporarily stepped down as chairman of his cable television network, Revolt, due to a wave of sexual abuse allegations against him.
The video obtained by CNN depicts Combs grabbing Ventura by the neck and throwing her to the floor. He then kicks her twice and drags her towards a room. These actions align with Cassie's lawsuit filed on November 16, 2023, where she accused Combs of years of abuse including beatings and rape.
The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office has stated that they are unable to charge Combs due to the timing of when the assault occurred. The footage was beyond the timeline for prosecuting a crime of assault.
Combs, whose real name is Sean Combs, reached a settlement with Cassie one day after she filed her lawsuit. The allegations against him also included rape, sex trafficking and domestic violence.
In addition to the assault allegations against Combs, his son Christian 'King' Combs was accused of sexually assaulting a woman working on a yacht chartered by his father. Homeland Security Investigations served search warrants on Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a sex-trafficking investigation.
The timeline of events surrounding Sean 'Diddy' Combs has been marked by numerous allegations, settlements, and investigations. The public release of the 2016 surveillance video has further fueled discussions about accountability and transparency in the entertainment industry.