Sean “Diddy” Combs has apologized for a security video recently aired by CNN. He appears to be seen attacking singer Cassie in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.. He said his own actions were “inexcusable” and he took “full responsibility” for his actions.
The hip-hop mogul apologized on social media Sunday for the alleged assault, saying in an Instagram video that he was “disgusted” by his actions.
“It’s so hard to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you have to,” Diddy said on Instagram. “I am disgusted and at rock bottom. But I make no excuses. My actions in that video are inexcusable.”
The video, first aired by CNN on Friday, is the latest in months of public allegations and revelations about physical and sexual violence against Combs.
The video shows Combs, wearing only a white towel, punching and kicking the R&B singer, who was his protégé and longtime girlfriend at the time. The footage also shows Combs pushing and dragging Ventura and throwing her vase of flowers at her.
Security camera footage dated March 5, 2016, closely resembles the depiction of the incident at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles’ Century City neighborhood. This is explained in a lawsuit filed by Ventura in November.whose real name is Cassandra Ventura, alleges that Combs subjected her to years of sexual abuse and other violence.
The complaint alleges Combs paid the hotel $50,000 for security video footage. CNN did not say how it obtained the footage, but said it confirmed the location by comparing it with publicly available images of the InterContinental Hotel.
Mr. Didi denies the charges in his lawsuit, but neither he nor his representatives responded by video until Sunday.
“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” Combs said Sunday. “I hated it when I did it. I hate it now. I sought professional help. I went to therapy, I started going to rehab. I had to ask for God’s mercy and grace. I’m like, ‘I’m so sorry, but I’m trying to be a better person every day, and I’m so sorry. ”
On Friday, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that it was “aware of the video.” They said the footage was “extremely disturbing and difficult to watch” but “no charges will be brought because the acts took place beyond the time limit for assault charges.”
Ventura’s lawyer told CBS News in a statement that Combs’ statement Sunday was “more about himself than it is about the many people he has hurt.”
“When Kathy and several other women came forward, he denied everything and implied that the victims were looking for a payday,” Meredith Firetog, a partner at Wigdor LLP, said in a statement. . “The fact that he was forced to ‘apologize’ for the first time after his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation and leaves no one shaken by his dishonest words. There will be no one there.”