Surveillance Video from 2016 Shows Sean “Diddy” Combs Assaulting Cassandra Ventura at Los Angeles Hotel
The footage, captured from multiple camera angles dated March 5, 2016, shows rapper and producer Sean Combs during an incident detailed in Cassandra Ventura’s complaint. The incident took place at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. CNN verified the location using publicly available photos of the former hotel’s interior.
In the video, Ventura exits a hotel room and heads toward a bank of elevators. Combs, with a towel around his waist, runs after her, grabs her by the neck, and throws her to the floor. Holding his towel with one hand, he then kicks her. As Ventura lies motionless, Combs retrieves a purse and suitcase from near the elevators and kicks her again. He briefly drags Ventura by her sweatshirt before walking away.
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Ventura is seen slowly standing up, gathering items from the floor, and picking up a phone near the elevators. Combs, still in a towel, returns and appears to shove Ventura. Moments later, he sits on a chair, grabs an object from a table, and forcefully throws it at her. He then walks away, turning back when an elevator door opens and someone exits.
Ventura, who reached an undisclosed settlement with Combs, declined to comment on the video obtained by CNN. Her attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, said, “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.”
CNN has sought comments from Combs’ representatives. Combs has previously denied Ventura’s allegations. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office issued a statement on the 2016 surveillance video, stating that it could not prosecute the case as it falls outside the statute of limitations. The DA’s office encouraged victims or witnesses to report crimes to law enforcement.
CNN also reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department for information on any additional investigation or possible charges but has not received a response. A representative for InterContinental Hotels confirmed the hotel is no longer under IHG management and they have no access to prior incident records or footage.
Combs and Ventura, a model and singer known for “Me & U,” were in an on-and-off relationship from 2007 to 2018. Ventura’s complaint detailed an incident around March 2016, where Combs, intoxicated, allegedly punched Ventura, giving her a black eye. After falling asleep, Combs woke up and followed Ventura into the hallway, throwing glass vases at her as she ran to the elevator.
Ventura claimed she initially fled to her apartment but returned to the hotel to apologize, fearing Combs’ anger. Hotel security urged her to leave, suggesting they had seen footage of the assault. The complaint alleges Combs paid $50,000 to the InterContinental Century City for the hallway footage. The November lawsuit included claims of repeated physical abuse and rape in 2018.
Combs’ attorney, Ben Brafman, denied the allegations, stating, “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.” The lawsuit was settled the following day, with Brafman noting that settling is not an admission of wrongdoing.
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Since November, Combs has faced five other civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct and other illegal activities, all of which he has denied. These cases remain active. In March, authorities searched Combs’ homes in California and Florida as part of a federal investigation into human trafficking crimes. Combs’ attorney, Aaron Dyer, called the searches a “gross overuse of military-level force” and described the investigation as a “witch hunt” based on meritless accusations. Dyer stated that Combs is innocent and will continue to fight to clear his name.