The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has disclosed that it cannot prosecute Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs over a 2016 video through which he was spotted assaulting Cassie Ventura in a hotel.
While the district attorney’s office admitted the video was disturbing, it also made it clear it could not open a case against Diddy because the conduct depicted in the video occured beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.
“We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch,” the office of L.A. District Attorney George Gascón wrote in a statement posted on Instagram on Friday, May 17.
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“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.” The statement read.
The latest development unfolded barely a fortnight after a video of Diddy assaulting Cassie at a hotel emerged.
In the video, which was first made public by CNN and dated March 5, 2016, Diddy is seen shoving Cassie to the ground near an elevator bank.
The music mogul is then seen kicking Ventura several times while she lies on the ground before dragging her down a hallway.
According to the statement by the L.A County District Attorney’s office, law enforcement has not presented “a case related to the attack depicted in the video against Diddy.
The office, however, called on any aggrieved party to contact them so that they can official file cases against the music star.
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“But we encourage anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report it to law enforcement or reach out to our office for support from our Bureau of Victims Services.” L.A District Attorney George Gascón said in the official statement.
MGAHAWANI.com accessed the said video and concluded that it mirrora an assault allegation Ventura made in a now-settled lawsuit she had filed against Diddy in November.
In her accusations, Cassie also alleged one instance of rape and another instance of Diddy forcing her to have s*x with male s*x workers while he masturbated.
“The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs,” Cassie Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, said in a statement sent to Billboard.
“Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.” The statement added.
It is important to note that Cassie has an on and off romantic relationship with Diddy for 11 years until their official split in 2018.
According to the lass, she met Diddy in 2005 when she was just 19 and he was 37.
She disclosed that Diddy lured her into a romantic relationship in which he asserted complete control over her life just moments after signing to his Bad Boy Records label.
This publication understands that Diddy has been slapped with four additional sexual misconduct lawsuits ever since Cassie Ventura filed her law suit in late 2023.
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In November, the music business mogul stepped down as chairman of his digital media company Revolt before reportedly selling his stake in the company in March 2024.
The media had earlier reported that federal agents conducted raids of Diddy’s L.A. and Miami homes “in connection” with a federal sex trafficking investigation in March 2024.
Despite the accusations, the legendary music act vehemently denied the allegations holding that he did not do anything illegal.
“Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged,” he said in a statement posted to social media on December 6, 2023.
“I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.” He added.
