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WARNING: Disturbing images and content
Surveillance video from 2016 obtained exclusively by CNN shows Sean “Diddy” Combs grabbing, shoving, dragging and kicking his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura during an altercation that fits claims in already settled federal case.
The footage, compiled from various camera angles and dated March 5, 2016, shows the rapper, producer and business mogul during an incident that Ventura’s complaint says took place at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.
WATCH ABOVE: Rap star Sean “Diddy” Combs’ brutal alleged assault caught on hotel security camera.
CNN confirmed the location based on publicly available photos of the former hotel’s interior.
In the video, Ventura exits a hotel room and walks to a row of elevators. Combs, holding a towel around his waist, runs down the hall after Ventura.
He appears to grab her by the back of the head and throw her to the floor. Still holding his towel closed with one hand, he turns to kick her, the video appears to show.
While Ventura is on the ground, Combs retrieves a bag and suitcase from the floor near the elevators.
He turns and appears to kick Ventura again as she lies motionless on the floor.
About four seconds pass between the two kicks, according to the video. He then briefly dragged Ventura by her sweatshirt into a room before walking away.
Ventura is then seen slowly standing up. She picks up items from the floor and moves to pick up the phone from the wall of the hallway near the elevators.
Combs, still in towel and socks, returns. A mirror directly opposite the security camera shows Combs appearing to shove Ventura.
Seconds later, he sits down in a chair, grabs an object from the table, and seemingly throws it at Ventura with force.
Combs is seen walking away, then turns back to Ventura as the elevator door opens and someone appears to exit.
Ventura, who reached an undisclosed settlement with Combs, declined to comment on the video obtained by CNN.
Ventura’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, said, “The shocking video only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude Ms. Ventura showed in coming forward to bring this to light.
CNN has reached out to Combs’ representatives for comment. Combs previously denied Ventura’s allegations.
When contacted by CNN, a spokesperson for InterContinental Hotels said: “This hotel is no longer under the management of IHG and we do not have access to any records or footage of previous incidents.”
The Ventura case
Combs and Ventura, a model and singer known for songs like Me & U, were in an on-and-off relationship from 2007 to 2018.
The two were photographed together at the Los Angeles premiere of the movie A Perfect Match on March 7, 2016.
According to Ventura’s complaint, which states the altercation took place “around March 2016,” Combs became “extremely intoxicated and punched Ms. Ventura in the face, causing a bruised eye.”
After Combs fell asleep, Ventura tried to leave the hotel room, but he woke up and “followed her down the hotel hallway while yelling at her,” the complaint states.
“He grabbed her and then picked up glass vases in the hallway and threw them at her, causing the glass to shatter around them as she ran to the elevator to escape,” the complaint alleges.
After Ventura got into the elevator, her complaint states, she took a cab to her apartment.
“After realizing that running away would make Mr. Combs even angrier at her and completely trapped in his vicious cycle of abuse, Ms. Ventura returned to the hotel with the intention of apologizing for running away from the abuser si”, says the complaint.
“When she returned, hotel security staff urged her to get back in the taxi and go to her apartment, assuming they had seen the security footage of Mr. Combs beating Ms. Ventura and throwing glass at her in the hotel corridor.’
The complaint alleges that Combs paid the InterContinental Century City US$50,000 (S$74,000) for the security footage of the hallway incident.
The incident was part of a series of allegations made in the November lawsuit, in which Ventura claims she was raped in 2018 and subjected to years of repeated physical and other abuse by Combs.
Ventura, who was officially signed to Combs’ label, claims in his lawsuit that he “exerted his power and influence” over her during their professional and romantic relationship.
According to the complaint, she was 19 when they met and Combs was 37, and their business relationship lasted until 2019.
It details that Combs physically abused Ventura and forced her to engage in various sexual acts with other men during that time.
Ben Brafman, Combs’ attorney, said in a statement to CNN on the day of his filing: “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous claims.
The case was settled the next day.
“The decision to settle, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing,” Brafman told CNN in a statement at the time.
“Mr. Combs’ decision to settle the case in no way undermines his categorical denial of the claims.” He is happy they have reached a mutual agreement and wishes Ms. Ventura all the best.
Details of the agreement were not released.
Current legal issues
Since November Combs is facing five other civil suits accusing him of a range of sex crimes and other illegal activity. He denied the charges and cases remain active.
Authorities searched Combs’ homes in California and Florida in March as part of a federal investigation by a Department of Homeland Security task force dealing with human trafficking crimes, according to a senior federal law enforcement official.
The investigation stems from many of the same allegations of sexual abuse made in civil casesaccording to a second law enforcement source familiar with the raids.
Aaron Dyer, Combs’ attorney, issued a statement at the time, calling the searches a “grossly excessive use of military-level force.”
“This unprecedented ambush — combined with an advanced, coordinated media presence — results in a premature and hasty conviction of Mr. Combs and amounts to nothing more than a witch hunt based on baseless allegations made in civil cases,” he said.
“There is no finding of criminal or civil liability on any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every day to clear his name.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency call 000.
Advice and counseling for men concerned about the use of domestic violence: Men’s Referral Service1300 766 491.
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