Cassie Ventura’s lawyer Douglas Wigdor has refuted Sean “Diddy” Combs’ claims that a 2016 video of him allegedly assaulting her in a hotel was doctored.
As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, the video in question was obtained and shared by CNN in 2024. Prior to the release of the video, Combs, 55, had denied allegations of rape and abuse from Ventura. He later backtracked and issued an apology after the video was released.
Combs and Ventura, 38, started dating in 2007 and had an on-and-off relationship for over 10 years. The American music mogul signed Cassie to his label in 2005 when she was 19 and he was 37.
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Wigdor told TMZ that he’s certain the video will be presented as evidence in the embattled music executive’s trial. He also said it does not come as a shock that Combs “would make a disingenuous argument to exclude the disturbing video from being shown to the jury in the upcoming trial.”
Wigdor said he’s “confident that the video fairly and accurately represents what happened, will be admitted into evidence,” adding that Combs “will be held accountable for his depravity.”
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The response from Ventura’s lawyer came after Combs’ lawyers questioned the authenticity of the video, claiming that the sole file was destroyed by CNN. The Bad Boy Records founder’s lawyers also claim that CNN destroyed the full video after it shared an edited version.
And though Combs’ legal team wants the video to be omitted as evidence in his federal case, Cassie’s team believes the court will reject his motion, TMZ reported. Prosecutors intend to present the video to substantiate Combs’ alleged violent tendencies. He is, however, not facing trial for allegedly assaulting Ventura.
Combs was arrested by federal agents on September 16 and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs, who entered a not-guilty plea, is being held without bail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His trial date has been set for May 5, 2025. But the 55-year-old is additionally facing multiple sexual assault lawsuits.
Combs’ legal woes started after CNN shared the video of him assaulting Ventura. She initially filed a lawsuit in New York federal court alleging that Combs brought her into his “ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle” after she met him. The lawsuit further alleged that Combs was “prone to uncontrollable rage” and physically abused her during their relationship including punching, beating, kicking, and stomping on her.
It alleged that Combs urged Ventura to use drugs and forced her to have sex with other men while he masturbated and filmed. The lawsuit was later dismissed after both parties reached an undisclosed settlement.
