Prosecutors Reject Claims of Leaking Video Showing Sean "Diddy" Combs Assaulting Cassie
U.S. prosecutors are refuting claims that they leaked the notorious video showing Sean "Diddy" Combs physically assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
Following statements from Combs' legal team alleging that the release of the 2016 footage on CNN in May was due to "a series of unlawful government leaks," prosecutors have filed a motion countering these allegations.
In a filing dated October 30, prosecutors asserted that the video, which was recorded in a hallway at the now-closed Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles, "was not in the Government's possession at the time of CNN’s publication and the Government has never, at any point, obtained the video through grand jury process."
The document further notes, "Without any factual basis, the Leak Motion seeks to suppress highly probative evidence—a video of Combs brutally physically assaulting a victim in March 2016 that was published by a media outlet in May 2024—by claiming that it was grand jury material leaked by Government agents to CNN."
Prosecutors clarified when they gained access to the footage: they stated that the U.S. government "ultimately obtained the Intercontinental Video at the same time as the general public on May 17, 2024, when CNN publicly released the footage."
Additionally, they allege that Combs "refuses to acknowledge that multiple individuals other than Government agents—including some of his own employees—may have had access to the Intercontinental video."
In their motion filed on October 9—shortly after Combs' arrest in New York and following raids on his homes by Department of Homeland Security agents—his legal team argued it "seems entirely reasonable that the video was leaked by one or more DHS agents" and requested a "full suppression of the videotape."
They claimed these "unlawful government leaks" resulted in damaging pretrial publicity that could taint jurors and compromise Combs’ right to a fair trial.
CNN declined to comment on these allegations from Combs' legal representatives. This comes after he pleaded not guilty to charges including racketeering and sex trafficking. He faces accusations of using his companies to transport women and male sex workers for recorded sexual performances referred to as "Freak Offs."
The federal indictment against him mentions the 2016 assault video as an example of his alleged pattern of physical abuse against women. Ventura had previously accused Combs of rape and abuse in a civil lawsuit filed in November 2023; however, this case was settled just one day later without an admission of wrongdoing from him.
Two days after its release, Combs addressed this surveillance footage showing him grabbing, shoving, dragging, and kicking Ventura. He shared via Instagram on May 19: "It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was f--ked up. I hit rock bottom. But I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video."
Ventura is among numerous individuals who have filed civil lawsuits against Combs over allegations of sexual misconduct within the past year. Despite facing multiple accusations stemming from his history as a prominent figure known for lavish parties, he has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Combs is currently incarcerated as he awaits trial for federal charges set for May 2025.