Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Cassie Ventura Altercation Revealed in 2016 CNN Surveillance Video

A surveillance video from 2016, obtained exclusively by CNN, captures Sean “Diddy” Combs engaging in physical altercations with his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The video shows Combs grabbing, shoving, dragging, and kicking Ventura, matching the allegations in a federal lawsuit filed by Ventura in November, which has since been settled.

The footage, taken from multiple camera angles on March 5, 2016, depicts the rapper, producer, and business mogul in an incident that aligns with Ventura’s complaint. The altercation reportedly took place at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. CNN confirmed the location by comparing it to publicly available photos of the hotel's interior.

Ventura exits a hotel room and walks to a bank of elevators in the video. Combs, with a towel around his waist, rushes down a hallway after Ventura. He grabs her by the back of the neck and forcefully throws her to the floor. Despite holding his towel closed with one hand, he proceeds to kick her, as shown in the video.

While Ventura remains on the ground, Combs picks up a purse and suitcase from the floor near the elevators. He then turns back and kicks Ventura once more as she lays motionless on the floor. The video indicates that about four seconds pass between the two kicks. Following this, he briefly pulls Ventura by her sweatshirt towards a room before exiting the scene.

Ventura slowly stands up and picks up items from the floor before moving towards a phone on the hallway wall near the elevators. Meanwhile, Combs, still in a towel and socks, returns and is caught on camera appearing to push Ventura in front of a mirror.

Shortly after, he sits on a chair, grabs an object from a table, and forcefully throws it at Ventura. As Combs walks away, he turns back towards Ventura as an elevator door opens and someone seems to be exiting.

Ventura declined to comment on the video obtained by CNN after reaching a settlement with Combs. Ventura's attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, expressed that the video confirmed Combs' disturbing behavior and praised Ventura for her courage in coming forward.

CNN has reached out to representatives for Combs and InterContinental Hotels for comment. Combs has previously denied Ventura’s allegations.

Ventura’s lawsuit

Combs and Ventura dated on and off from 2007 to 2018. They were seen together at the Los Angeles premiere of the movie "A Perfect Match" on March 7, 2016.

In Ventura's complaint, she mentioned that the incident took place in March 2016. She stated that Combs was heavily intoxicated and hit her in the face, causing a black eye.

Ventura tried to leave the hotel room after Combs fell asleep. However, he woke up and started yelling at her as she walked into the hallway, according to the complaint.

The complaint further stated that he grabbed at her and threw glass vases at her in the hallway. This caused glass to shatter around them as she ran to the elevator for safety.

Ventura took a cab to her apartment after getting in the elevator. According to her complaint, she went back to the hotel to apologize to her abuser, Mr. Combs, realizing that running away would only make the situation worse. Hotel security staff advised her to leave and go back to her apartment, mentioning that they had witnessed Mr. Combs physically assaulting her in the hotel hallway.

The complaint states that Combs gave $50,000 to the InterContinental Century City for the hallway security footage. This incident was one of many allegations mentioned in the November lawsuit. Ventura accused Combs of raping her in 2018 and subjecting her to years of physical and other forms of abuse.

Sean "Diddy" Combs with Cassie Ventura attend the premiere of 'The Perfect Match' in Los Angeles on March 7, 2016.

Sean "Diddy" Combs with Cassie Ventura attend the premiere of 'The Perfect Match' in Los Angeles on March 7, 2016.

Chris Delmas/AFP/Getty Images/File

Ventura, who was previously signed to Combs’ label, stated in her lawsuit that he used his power and influence over her during their professional and romantic relationship. She was 19 when they first met, while Combs was 37, and their business association continued until 2019. The lawsuit included allegations of physical violence by Combs towards Ventura and instances where he coerced her into participating in sexual activities with other men.

In response to the allegations, Ben Brafman, Combs’ attorney, released a statement to CNN stating, “Mr. Combs strongly denies these offensive and shocking claims.”

The suit was resolved the following day.

In a statement to CNN, Brafman clarified that settling the lawsuit in 2023 does not mean admitting any wrongdoing. He mentioned that Mr. Combs' decision to settle the case does not change his strong denial of the allegations. Brafman expressed that both parties are content with reaching a mutual agreement and Mr. Combs wishes Ms. Ventura well.

Details of the settlement were not disclosed.

Ongoing legal issues

Since November, Combs has been involved in five civil lawsuits alleging various forms of sexual misconduct and other illegal activities. Despite denying the accusations, the cases are ongoing.

In April, authorities conducted searches at Combs' residences in California and Florida as part of a federal investigation led by a Department of Homeland Security team specializing in human trafficking crimes. The investigation is linked to the sexual assault allegations mentioned in the civil lawsuits.

Aaron Dyer, who is representing Combs, spoke out about the searches, describing them as excessive and resembling military tactics.

Dyer stated, "The aggressive operation, along with a well-coordinated media presence, has resulted in unfair prejudice against Mr. Combs. This seems to be a witch hunt fueled by baseless claims from civil lawsuits. It's important to note that there has been no legal determination of guilt in any of these allegations. Mr. Combs maintains his innocence and is committed to proving it every step of the way."

CNN’s Kevin Flower and Megan Thomas helped with this article.

If you or someone you know is dealing with intimate partner violence, there is help available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a resource you can reach out to.

Editor's P/S:

The surveillance video