By Ericka Alston Buck
Special to the AFRO
In a disturbing revelation, newly released video surveillance footage seems to show Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. The footage captures the harrowing incident that took place on March 5, 2016, at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. This video, compiled from multiple camera angles, matches the allegations detailed in a federal lawsuit filed by Ventura in November, which has since been settled.
The disturbing video
The video begins with a woman who appears to be Cassie Ventura exiting a hotel room and walking towards a bank of elevators. A man resembling Sean Combs, wearing a towel around his waist, is seen running after her. He grabs Ventura by the back of the neck, throws her to the floor, and kicks her twice while she lies motionless. The footage further shows Combs dragging Ventura by her sweatshirt before walking away.
Ventura is later seen standing up and gathering her belongings, only to be confronted again by Combs. He forcefully throws an object at her before walking away once more. The violence captured in this footage has only reinforced the disturbing nature of the allegations Ventura made in her lawsuit.
Legal repercussions and statements
Ventura’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, commented on the release of the footage, 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.”
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office also issued a statement regarding the footage:“We are aware of the video that has been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles. We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch.” The DA’s office noted that due to the statute of limitations, they would be unable to prosecute the incident depicted in the video.
Cassie’s lawsuit against Diddy
Cassie Ventura, a model and singer, was in a tumultuous relationship with Sean Combs from 2007 to 2018. According to her lawsuit, the altercation in the video occurred around March 2016, when an intoxicated Combs punched her in the face, giving her a black eye. Ventura said she attempted to leave, but Combs followed her into the hotel hallway, throwing glass vases at her as she tried to escape.
The complaint further alleges that Combs paid the InterContinental Century City $50,000 to obtain the security footage of the incident. Ventura’s lawsuit included claims of repeated physical abuse and rape, asserting that Combs exerted his power and influence over her throughout their relationship, which began when she was 19 and he was 37.
Domestic violence: A persistent issue
The release of this footage underscores the pervasive issue of domestic violence, a problem that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking with impacts such as injury, fearfulness, post-traumatic stress disorder, use of victim services, contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, etc.
In the United States, domestic violence hotlines receive more than 20,000 calls every day, highlighting the widespread and urgent nature of this issue. The NCADV also reports that intimate partner violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime, underscoring the critical need for increased awareness, support and legal recourse for victims.
The broader impact
The unsettling footage and Ventura’s allegations against Combs have sparked renewed conversations about the dynamics of power and abuse in relationships, particularly within the entertainment industry. The courage shown by Cassie Ventura in coming forward has shed light on the serious issue of domestic violence, encouraging other victims to speak out and seek help.
While Combs has denied the allegations, the video evidence presents a stark and undeniable reality of the abuse Ventura endured. The legal and social implications of this case may serve as a catalyst for further scrutiny and accountability within industries that have historically shielded powerful individuals from consequences.
Ongoing legal issues for Combs
In addition to Ventura’s lawsuit, Sean Combs has faced multiple civil lawsuits accusing him of various forms of sexual misconduct and other illegal activities. Despite denying these allegations, the cases remain active. In March, authorities searched Combs’ homes in California and Florida as part of a federal investigation into human trafficking, linked to the same allegations put forth in the civil lawsuits.
Attorney Aaron Dyer, representing Combs, criticized the searches as an “overuse of military-level force” and described the investigation as a “witch hunt” based on meritless accusations. Dyer emphasized that there has been no finding of criminal or civil liability in these cases, and Combs continues to maintain his innocence.
