Security video aired by CNN has revealed disturbing footage of Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly assaulting singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. The video shows Combs, wearing only a white towel, punching and kicking Cassie, his protege and longtime girlfriend at the time. The footage also shows Combs shoving, dragging Cassie, and throwing a vase in her direction. The incident closely resembles the description of an incident at an InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles as described in a lawsuit filed by Cassie in November 2016, which alleged years of sexual abuse and violence from Combs.
Cassie’s lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed, but it sparked intense scrutiny of Combs, leading to several more lawsuits filed against him in the following months. Additionally, a federal criminal sex-trafficking investigation was conducted, resulting in authorities raiding Combs’ mansions in Los Angeles and Miami. While representatives for Combs did not immediately comment on the video, he has previously denied the allegations in the lawsuits and stated that he will fight to prove his innocence.
Attorney Douglas Wigdor, representing Cassie, has condemned Combs’ behavior in the video as “disturbing and predatory.” The lawsuit detailed that Combs had become intoxicated earlier in the evening, punched Cassie, and physically assaulted her. The video footage shows Combs screaming at Cassie, violently grabbing, yanking, kicking her, and throwing vases in her direction. Despite being able to flee and hide out with a friend in Florida, Cassie eventually returned to the hotel out of fear that she would face greater abuse if she didn’t.
The statute of limitations for assault or battery in California makes it unlikely for Combs to be criminally charged in the attack. However, the release of the video and the ongoing investigations have significantly impacted Combs’ reputation and business ventures. Combs, a prominent figure in the hip-hop industry and founder of Bad Boy Records, has had to step aside from some of his business roles as the allegations continue to surface. The incidents involving Cassie and other women have led to a series of legal battles and investigations that have tarnished Combs’ legacy and career.
Combs and Cassie had an on-and-off relationship for over a decade, beginning in 2007. Cassie rose to fame with her hit single “Me & U,” which topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart in 2006. She has also pursued acting, appearing in various television shows and films. The public disclosure of the security video and the subsequent legal actions have shed light on the alleged abusive behavior of Combs towards Cassie and other women, prompting a discussion on domestic violence and the importance of seeking help. For anonymous, confidential assistance, individuals can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support.
