Embattled music executive Sean “Diddy” Combs has returned the keys to New York City after Mayor Eric Adams asked him to do so at the beginning of the month. As previously reported by Face2Face Africa, Combs currently remains under public scrutiny after CNN shared a video of him assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.
Combs, who was born in Harlem, was awarded the Key to the City of New York by Adams in 2023. The mayor’s office in a statement said Combs was awarded the key for his “decades of contributions to music and business, philanthropic support to underserved communities.”
However, skepticism regarding whether Combs was worthy of keeping that award was raised following the release of the 2016 video. Adams in a previous interview also reacted to the video, saying that he was “deeply disturbed by watching” the “chilling” footage of the “young lady being assaulted” by Combs.
Adams in a subsequent letter to the 54-year-old’s communications representative reiterated that the video of Combs assaulting Cassie had left him “deeply disturbed,” NBC News reported.
“I strongly condemn these actions and stand in solidarity with all survivors of domestic and gender-based violence,” Adams stated in the June 4 letter. “Our city has worked tirelessly to make sure survivors are heard and seen by our administration.”
Combs reportedly returned the keys six days after the letter was sent. The rapper and music executive had initially denied allegations of rape and abuse from Cassie. But he later issued an apology on social media after the circulation of the video.
Combs and Cassie 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.
And Cassie, now 37, 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 Cassie 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.
Combs’ legal woes further mounted following the circulation of the video as model Crystal McKinney became the latest person to file a sexual assault lawsuit against the 54-year-old. That’s a total of six sexual assault lawsuits that have been brought against the rapper and music executive.
In March, the agents with Homeland Security also raided Combs’ Miami and Los Angeles homes in connection with a federal sex trafficking investigation. CNN also reported that federal investigators were making arrangements for Combs’ accusers to appear before a New York City grand jury.
