By Rapper, producer, and business mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs issued a public apology on Sunday for physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a 2016 incident at a Los Angeles hotel. The apology comes two days after CNN published exclusive surveillance footage from the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, which appears to show Combs grabbing, shoving, dragging, and kicking Ventura.
In a video statement posted on Instagram, Combs expressed his remorse, stating, “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”
The apology marks a reversal from Combs’ previous denial of Ventura’s assault allegations, which formed the basis of a now-settled federal lawsuit filed by Ventura in November.
The disturbing surveillance footage, compiled from multiple camera angles, shows Ventura exiting a hotel room and walking towards the elevators. Combs, holding a towel around his waist, runs after her, grabs her by the back of the neck, and throws her to the floor. He then kicks her twice while she lies motionless on the ground, briefly drags her by her sweatshirt, and appears to shove her when she attempts to use a phone on the hallway wall.
Ventura’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, commented on the video, saying, “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 issued a statement on Friday, acknowledging the disturbing nature of the video but explaining that they would be unable to charge Combs due to the statute of limitations for assault crimes. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed they are aware of the video but do not have an open investigation involving Combs at this time.
Ventura’s lawsuit, filed in November, detailed claims of rape in 2018 and years of repeated physical and other abuses by Combs throughout their professional and romantic relationship, which lasted from 2007 to 2018. The suit was settled the day after it was filed, with the terms of the settlement remaining undisclosed.
Since November, Combs has faced five additional civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct and other illegal activities, all of which he has denied. In March, authorities searched Combs’ homes in California and Florida as part of a federal investigation into human trafficking crimes, stemming from the same sexual assault allegations put forth in the civil lawsuits.
Combs’ attorney, Aaron Dyer, called the searches a “gross overuse of military-level force” and characterized the investigation as a “witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.”
As the legal issues surrounding Combs continue to unfold, his public apology for the 2016 assault on Ventura marks a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the music and business icon.
