Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: Cassie Ventura’s legal team slams rap mogul’s apology

The ex-girlfriend of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has broken her silence over the shocking leaked video of her leaving and being beaten by the mogul rapper. Warning: Graphic

Casandra “Cassie” Ventura has spoken out for the first time following the release of a 2016 video that showed her being physically abused in a hotel corridor by then-boyfriend Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Ventura, 37, released a statement on her official Instagram account, expressing her thanks “for all of the love and support from my family, friends, strangers and those I have yet to meet.”

She went on to say that “the outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now.”

“But this is only the beginning,” she said. “Domestic Violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from the past.”

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs with Cassie Ventura at the premiere of The Perfect Match in March 2016, just days after the alleged hotel assault. Picture: AFP

“This healing journey is never ending, but this support means everything to me,” she also said. “Thank you.”

Ventura first made allegations against Combs, 54, in a lawsuit filed last November, which has since been settled, claiming he raped and sex-trafficked her over the course of an abusive 10-year relationship.

“After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships,” she said in a statement.

“With the expiration of New York’s Adult Survivors Act fast approaching, it became clear that this was an opportunity to speak up about the trauma I have experienced and that I will be recovering from for the rest of my life.”

Combs has denied the allegations. But after the video of him apparently chasing and beating Ventura went viral, he took to his Instagram account to post an apology video in which he addressed the leaked CCTV footage.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has posted a video statement over the vile footage. Picture: AFP

In his Instagram post, the rap mogul said he “takes full responsibility” for his actions, claiming he privately took steps to address his behaviour after hitting “rock bottom”.

However, during the video statement, Combs never specifically mentioned Ventura, instead referring to his own issues.

For eight years, until the video was released, Combs vehemently denied Ventura’s allegations of abuse, The NY Post reports.

The horrifying footage – obtained by CNN – showed Combs, clad only in a bath towel, punching, kicking and dragging Ventura after chasing her down a hallway at an InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has already confirmed that it is “unable to charge” the rapper due to the statute of limitations.

Footage of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs beating his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura has caused outrage.

Combs was seen taking a cigar break in Miami while out on a walk after his video statement was posted.

New York Attorney and partner at Wigdor Law Meredith Firetog, who represents Ventura, said the statement was evidence of Combs’ “pathetic desperation”.

“Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt,” she said in a statement posted through her firm’s social media.

“When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday.

“That he was only compelled to ‘apologise’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.”

Statement of Meredith Firetog, Partner at Wigdor LLP, in response to Sean Combs’ video post:

“Combs’ most recent statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt. When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his…

— WigdorLaw (@WigdorLaw) May 19, 2024

He posted the video of himself speaking directly to his camera on Sunday morning, local time, and said, “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you gotta do that. I was f***ed up. I mean, I hit rock bottom.”

The rapper added: “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video, I’m disgusted.”

Combs said he “sought out professional help” after the incident via therapy and rehab.

“I had to go into therapy. Go into rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace.”

He ended the video with an apology, as well as beginning the post with the caption, “I’m truly sorry”.

“I’m so sorry, but I’m committed to be a better man each and everyday. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”

Rap artist Curtis ‘50 Cent’ James Jackson remarked on the apology over Instagram, saying a prior statement of innocence by Combs’ had “Maury vibes”, comparing Combs to talk show host Maury Povich. Povich denied allegations of sexual harassment alleged in 2006.

“This is not going to work, who is advising (Combs) right now,” 50 Cent said.

“The lie detector test has determined this (past statement of innocence by Combs) was a lie … Maury vibes.”

In the December 2023 statement Combs alleged that “sickening allegations” were made against him “by individuals looking for a quick payday”.

Former Danity Kane musician Aubrey O’Day, who is a longstanding critic of Combs, said the apology was disingenuous and that Combs “apologised to the world for seeing what he did”, rather than apologising to his alleged victim.

“He says he’s ‘disgusted (with) himself now, and he was disgusted (with) himself then’. But apparently he wasn’t disgusted enough (with) himself to not pin this statement out calling her a liar and denying all of it,” she said on Instagram.

“Leave god and mercy out of this, they aren’t present here, and you know it.”

Combs is the target of several civil lawsuits that accuse him of being a violent sexual predator who used alcohol and drugs to subdue his victims, and his homes were raided this year by federal agents.

Sean P. Diddy Combs with Cassie Ventura in 2016. Picture: Chris Delmas / AFP

Ventura sued Combs in federal court last year, a bombshell suit that was settled out of court but succeeded by a string of similarly lurid sexual assault claims against the hip-hop star.

The singer met Combs when she was 19 and he was 37, after which he signed her to his record label and they began a romantic relationship.

Combs has vehemently denied all accusations against him. His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AFP.

In March armed agents entered Combs’ sprawling luxury properties in Miami and Los Angeles, but no criminal charges have been laid.

Originally published as Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: Cassie Ventura’s legal team slams rap mogul’s apology