Photo Credit: Tobias Tullius
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accuses federal agents and prosecutors of leaking the hotel security camera footage showing him attacking Cassie Ventura.
Federal prosecutors deny leaking the hotel security camera footage that showed Sean “Diddy” Combs attacking then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. Combs accused them of leaking the footage unlawfully in a court filing this week.
The video was initially obtained by CNN back in May. Its existence forced Combs into acknowledging its legitimacy and releasing a public apology for his actions, which he had previously denied.
“The Government was not in possession of the video before its publication by CNN,” prosecutors assert in a letter to the judge. “Indeed, at the time of CNN’s publication, the Government did not possess any video of the March 2016 incident.”
Further, prosecutors said they informed the defense, prior to the filing on Wednesday that alleged leaks, that they did not obtain the video through the grand jury process, and they did not believe Homeland Security Investigations had accessed the video prior to CNN releasing it.
“There is thus no colorable factual basis for the defendant’s claim that the Government leaked the video to CNN, let alone that it was leaked ‘in violation of grand jury secrecy,’” wrote prosecutors.
Combs, who has been held without bail, was arrested last month and charged with sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy.
Prior to his court appearance this week, Combs’ attorneys alleged that leaks “have led to damaging, highly prejudicial publicity that can only taint the jury pool and deprive Mr. Combs of his right to a fair trial.”
“Mr. Combs continues to assert his right to a speedy trial and intends to request a trial date in April or May 2025, and as consistent with the Court’s trial schedule,” wrote defense attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos in a letter to the judge before Combs’ court appearance on Thursday.
In addition to his federal trial, Combs is still facing several civil lawsuits from alleged victims, and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
