Diddy’s Legal Team Alleges CNN Tampered with Cassie Ventura Assault Video and Erased Original Evidence

Lawyers representing Sean “Diddy” Combs in his federal matter assert that the shocking CNN footage, which depicted the music mogul purportedly assaulting his former partner and artist, Cassie Ventura, on March 5, 2016, had been modified and the original material was eliminated.

In the CCTV clip — unveiled by CNN on May 17, 2024 — Ventura, 38, exited a hotel suite at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles and made her way toward a cluster of elevators while Combs, 55, pursued her clad in a white towel and socks. Upon reaching her, Combs seized her by the neck and flung her to the ground. He then proceeded to kick her forcefully as he seized her handbag and suitcase.

As Ventura lay inert, Combs kicked her once more and momentarily dragged her toward the room’s direction before releasing her and departing. Moments later, he seated himself on a chair, seized an object from a table, and hurled it at her violently.

Combs is then observed walking away and turning back toward Ventura as an elevator door opens and an individual appears to exit. The footage captures Combs grabbing, pushing, and kicking Ventura during a confrontation that coincided with accusations she made in a now-settled lawsuit lodged in November 2023.

“The heart-wrenching footage has further corroborated the troubling and predatory conduct of Mr. Combs. Words cannot convey the bravery and resilience that Ms. Ventura has displayed in coming forward to expose this,” remarked Ventura’s attorney Douglas H. Wigdor in a press release acquired by PEOPLE in 2024.

The previous year, Combs issued an apology video regarding the incident. “I take full accountability for my actions captured in that video,” he stated on May 19, 2024. “I was appalled. I felt sick then when I did it, and I feel sick now. I sought professional assistance, engaging in therapy and rehab. I had to plead for God’s mercy and grace. I’m deeply sorry, but I am dedicated to becoming a better person each and every day,” Combs elaborated. He had previously refuted Ventura’s claims of assault.

In the filing submitted in New York City on Thursday, March 13, Combs’ legal team asserts that CNN acquired the sole known copy of the surveillance video, uploaded it to a free editing tool, and modified the original footage.

“All CNN video footage was significantly altered in substantial ways,” the correspondence to Judge Arun Subramanian states. “This involves concealing the timestamp and subsequently altering the video sequence. It also entails accelerating the video to create a misleading impression that the actions depicted are occurring more swiftly than they actually are. Consequently, the CNN videos do not accurately and fairly represent the events in question.”

The letter additionally contends that CNN destroyed the original footage “despite being aware of and consistently reporting on the federal inquiry.”

“It is not surprising that Combs would present a disingenuous argument to exclude the unsettling video from being displayed to the jury in the forthcoming trial,” Ventura’s attorney Wigdor expressed in a statement to PEOPLE. “I am confident that the video accurately depicts what transpired, will be permitted into evidence, and that Combs will be held liable for his misconduct.”

Representatives for CNN did not promptly respond to PEOPLE’s request for a statement. Combs’ legal team had no additional comments.

The filing indicates that the video will be addressed in an imminent motion. “We will disclose the subpoenaed materials to the government so it will be prepared to respond to the defense motion regarding this matter,” the letter articulates.

In September 2024, Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He is presently detained at MDC-Brooklyn while awaiting his eight-week trial scheduled to commence on May 5.

If you are facing domestic abuse, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is accessible 24/7 in over 170 languages.