Prosecutors deny leaking Diddy and Cassie assault video in new court documents

Prosecutors in Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ an ongoing lawsuit has denied the intentional leak of footage of the disgraced rapper physically assaulting his now-ex Cassie in 2016.

In court documents filed Wednesday, Oct. 30, and received Us Weekly, Prosecutors opposed Diddy’s requests for a gag order in connection with the video.

“The court must deny the leak motion for the simple reason that defendant has failed to demonstrate the leak of any grand jury material,” the court documents state. “Without any factual basis, the Leak Motion seeks to suppress highly probative evidence — a video of Combs brutally physically assaulting a victim in March 2016 that was released to the media in May 2024 — by claiming it was grand jury material, promulgated by the government. agents of CNN”.

The motion added, “However, to the defendant’s full knowledge, the video was not in the government’s possession at the time of CNN’s publication, and the government has never and never received the video through the grand jury process.”

Diddy’s trial is currently scheduled for 2025, when his lawyers will try to keep the CNN video out of court.

“The defendant is grasping at straws. Because the defendant cannot prove that the information in the Cited Articles is grand jury material, and because he cannot show that government agents with access to the grand jury material leaked the information, he cannot make the prima facie case necessary for a defense. which he is looking for,” prosecutors added in court documents, denying the leak of other confidential materials to other media outlets. “Furthermore, even though any information in the cited articles may be considered nonpublic information improperly disclosed, defendant’s request for immunity under Local Penal Rule 23.1 is moot pursuant to this Court’s October 25, 2024 order.”

In the documents, the attorneys also expressed “serious concerns” about Diddy’s alleged victims and witnesses.

“Here, as noted in the indictment and at the bail hearing, the defendant has a significant history of violence and obstruction,” the statement said. “Really, Judge Carter it was established by clear and convincing evidence at the conclusion of the second hearing that the defendant “is a danger of obstruction of justice and witness tampering” and “poses a danger to the safety of others in the community at large.” Given the defendant’s history, the government has serious concerns about the safety of victims and the potential for witness tampering if the defendant is provided with a list of victims’ names.”

CNN received and posted the video in May, which showed Diddy, now 54, grabbing Cassie, now 37, by the neck, pushing, dragging and kicking her at a Los Angeles hotel. The video was shot in 2016.

In a few hours, Diddy apologized for his actions without mentioning Cassie (full name Cassandra Ventura) directly.

“It’s hard to remember the darkest times of your life, sometimes you have to,” he said in an Instagram video. “I’m fed up. I mean, I’ve hit rock bottom, but I’m not looking for excuses. My behavior in this video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in this video. I’m disgusted.”

Diddy added: “I went and got professional help. I went to therapy, I went to rehab. It was necessary to ask God for his mercy and grace. I am very sorry, but I strive to become a better person every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I am sincerely sorry.”

Diddy and Cassie dated and excluded between 2007 and 2018. Five years later, in November 2023, Cassie sued the music mogul for sexual and physical abuse that she claims spanned 10 years. Diddy has strongly denied all the allegations against him and Cassie satisfied the claim within one day.

Shortly before that, a grand jury indicted Diddy in September arrested and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy and transportation for prostitution. The 14-page indictment, which also cites a CNN video of Diddy and Cassie, alleges that the rapper allegedly “abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him” for decades.

Diddy pleaded not guilty to the charges before a judge denied him bail on three separate attempts. He was placed in the detention center in Brooklyn before the trial.

“We are disappointed in the decision to continue what we believe to be an unfair prosecution of Mr. Combs by the United States Attorney’s Office,” Diddy’s lawyer said in a statement. Mark Anyifilo told Us Weekly in a statement earlier this month. Sean “Diddy” Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, doting on his children and working to uplift the black community. He is an imperfect man, but he is not a criminal.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).