LA District Attorney Unable to Prosecute Sean “Diddy” Combs Over 2016 Incident Involving Cassie Ventura

The Los Angeles District Attorney, George Gascón, announced the inability to press charges against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs over a 2016 incident involving Cassie Ventura. The statement followed the circulation of a video showing Combs assaulting Ventura at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.

The video, captured from multiple angles and first obtained by CNN, shows Combs in a towel chasing Ventura down a hallway before physically attacking her near elevators and kicking her while she lay on the floor. A mirror in the footage also depicts Combs shoving Ventura and hurling an object at her.

Despite the disturbing nature of the video, the LA District Attorney’s office stated that the incident was beyond the legal statute of limitations for prosecuting such an assault. According to California law, the statute of limitations for simple assault is one year and three years for aggravated assault, making the 2016 incident ineligible for charges.

The footage correlates with allegations Ventura made in a 2023 lawsuit where she accused Combs of prolonged abuse, including trafficking, rape, and physical violence, starting from their relationship’s inception in 2005 when she was 19 and Combs was 37. The lawsuit was settled within a day of filing for an undisclosed sum, though Combs maintained his denial of the allegations.

Combs is currently facing multiple accusations and lawsuits related to sexual abuse and sex trafficking but has not been formally charged. Representatives for both Combs and Ventura have yet to comment on the surveillance footage.

The DA’s office continues to encourage victims or witnesses of crimes to report them, providing support through the Bureau of Victims Services.