LOS ANGELES (Court TV) — Sean “Diddy” Combs has issued an apology in response to leaked 2016 hotel surveillance video that came to light on Friday in which he could be seen brutally attacking Cassie Ventura in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel.
The music mogul posted a video on Instagram Sunday, saying, “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that.”
Combs went on to say, “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.”
FILE – Music mogul and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs arrives at the Billboard Music Awards, May 15, 2022, in Las Vegas. Combs pushed back against a woman’s lawsuit that accused him of sexual assault. Combs’ lawyers filed a motion Friday, April 26, 2024, to dismiss some claims that were not under law when the alleged incident occurred. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
In the shocking video, the music mogul wears just a towel and socks as he runs after Ventura, who was his girlfriend at the time. There’s no sound, but he appears to be yelling at her. Combs can be seen grabbing Ventura and throwing vases from the hotel hall at her. He then kicks her as she lies on the floor and attempts to drag her back to their room.
It appears Combs cannot drag Ventura, so he stomps back to the room, returns, and throws something at her. Meanwhile, Ventura can be seen grabbing one of the telephones in the hall.
Ventura released a statement through her attorney in response to Combs’ statement, saying:
“Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt.”
Court TV anchor Julie Grant explained on her program this morning that Combs cannot be prosecuted for the hotel beating because, according to California law, the statute of limitations has passed.
Combs and Ventura first met in 2005 and began dating a few years later. The pair split for good in 2019.
A lawsuit that Ventura filed in November 2016 seems to match what’s depicted in the video. According to Ventura’s complaint, an intoxicated Combs punched her in the face while they were staying at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, leaving her with a black eye. Ventura stated that she attempted to leave the room once Combs was asleep, but he awoke upon hearing her. The video picks up with him following her into the hall, visibly yelling.
Combs agreed to settle that suit the very next day. His attorney, however, announced that the decision to settle was in no way an admission of wrongdoing.
Combs reportedly paid the hotel $50,000 for the hallway security footage. The release of the hotel video comes on the heels of a slew of sex assault and sex trafficking civil cases that have been filed against Combs in recent months. Combs released a statement via social media in Dec. 2023 responding to the suits, saying:
“Enough is enough. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
Ventura’s attorney released a statement Friday in response to the release of the hotel surveillance video:
“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.”
