Unique: Surveillance footage from 2016 reveals Sean 'Diddy' Combs allegedly attacking Cassie Ventura, acquired by CNN.
In a video from March 5, 2016, Puff Daddy, also known as rapper and producer Sean Combs, can be seen participating in an alleged attack on a woman named Dawn Ventura. This footage was gathered from various camera angles within the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. The location was verified by CNN using publicly available photos.
The video shows Ventura walking away from a hotel room. Combs, carrying a towel around his waist, pursues her down the hall, grabbing her by the neck and throwing her to the ground. While maintaining his grip on the towel, he then kicks her. After leaving Ventura on the floor for approximately four seconds, he drags her back toward a room using her sweatshirt. Combs ultimately walks away. Ventura slowly gets up, retrieves items from the floor, and attempts to call someone on the phone. When Combs returns, he seems to push Ventura.
Ventura, who had previously reached a settlement in the case, declined to comment on the video.
Douglas H. Wigdor, Ventura's attorney, commented on the video: "The gut-wrenching footage serves to further demonstrate the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. The bravery and resilience displayed by Ms. Ventura in coming forward with these allegations are truly inspiring."
The footage recently obtained by CNN prompted calls for reactions from the representatives of Combs and the InterContinental Hotels. Combs had previously denied the accusations.
The lawsuit
Ventura and Combs, a well-known musician and businessman, had an on-and-off relationship from 2007 to 2018. They both attended the premiere of the movie "A Perfect Match" in Los Angeles on March 7, 2016.
According to Ventura's complaint from November, which reported the incident as happening "around March 2016," Combs got extremely drunk and punched Ventura in the face, resulting in a black eye.
After falling asleep, Ventura tried to leave the hotel room. However, Combs woke up and followed her into the hallway. He grabbed at her and then hurled glass vases at her. The complaint adds that Ventura hailed a cab afterward, hoping to deescalate the situation, but returned to apologize for leaving. Hotel security staff advised her to get back in the cab and return home.
The complaint also claims that Combs paid the InterContinental Century City $50,000 to obtain the hallway security footage. This incident formed part of a larger lawsuit from November in which Ventura accused Combs of rape in 2018 and various other forms of abuse for years.
Ventura, who had previously worked with Combs, alleged in the lawsuit that he abused his power and influence during both their professional and romantic liaisons. She was also 19 when they first met, with Combs being 37. Their partnership lasted until 2019, during which he allegedly used physical violence against Ventura and violently coerced her into engaging in sexual acts with other men.
Ben Brafman, Combs' attorney, responded to the lawsuit in a statement to CNN, asserting, "Mr. Combs vehemently denies these scandalous and outrageous allegations."
The lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed, though the terms of the settlement were not revealed.
More legal battles
Since November, Combs has faced five other civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct and other misdeeds. He has denied these allegations, and the cases are ongoing.
In April, authorities executed searches on Sean "Diddy" Combs' homes in California and Florida as part of an ongoing federal investigation led by a Department of Homeland Security team specialized in human trafficking crimes. According to a high-ranking official aware of the case, the probe is connected to the same sexual assault claims brought up in the civil litigations.
Shortly after the searches, Aaron Dyer, Combs' attorney, released a statement condemning the aggressive approach taken by law enforcement.
"This relentless assault - facilitated by a calculated, synchronized media presence - is a misguided pursuit of Mr. Combs based on groundless allegations presented in civil lawsuits," Dyer said. "To this day, there has been no finding of criminal or civil liability in these claims. Mr. Combs is innocent and will relentlessly defend his name against these baseless attacks."
CNN's Kevin Flower and Megan Thomas contributed to this report.
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Despite the settlement and Ventura's decision to remain silent, the recently obtained surveillance footage from the incident in 2016 has sparked renewed discussions about the Entertainment industry's handling of misconduct allegations.
The Entertainment world has been under scrutiny for its response to these kinds of incidents, and the case of Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Cassie Ventura has once again brought the issue to the forefront.
Source: edition.cnn.com
