The L.A. County DA's office announced that Sean "Diddy" Combs will not be prosecuted for a 2016 video allegedly showing him assaulting Cassie Ventura, due to the statute of limitations. The video aligns with claims Ventura made in a settled lawsuit against Combs, including assault and sexual misconduct allegations.
Sean "Diddy" Combs will not face prosecution over a 2016 video appearing to show him assaulting then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office. “We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch,” stated the office of L.A. District Attorney George Gascón on Instagram Friday (May 17). “If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately, we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.”
In the video, dated March 5, 2016, and obtained by CNN, Combs appears to shove Ventura to the ground near an elevator bank, kick her several times while she lies on the ground, and drag her down a hallway.
The DA's office clarified that law enforcement has not presented a case related to the attack depicted in the video against Combs. They encouraged anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report it to law enforcement or reach out to their office for support.
The video mirrors an assault allegation Ventura made in a now-settled lawsuit she filed against Combs in November, in which she also alleged one instance of rape and another instance of Combs forcing her to have sex with male sex workers while he masturbated.
Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, stated, “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs.” Ventura had an on-again, off-again relationship with Combs for 11 years until they split in 2018.
Since Ventura filed her lawsuit late last year, Combs has faced four additional sexual misconduct lawsuits. Combs has strongly denied all allegations, stating, “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.”
