In a dramatic turn of events, lawyers for embattled music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs have accused federal authorities of unlawfully leaking a damning video showing Combs brutally assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie. The explosive allegation comes as Combs battles a slew of serious charges, including sex trafficking, forced prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy.
The surveillance footage, filmed in 2016 at an InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles, shows Combs striking, kicking, and dragging Cassie as she tries to leave. CNN obtained and published the video in May, prompting Combs to apologize publicly for his “inexcusable” behavior.
In a court filing on Wednesday, Combs’ legal team claimed the Department of Homeland Security, which executed raids on the defendant’s homes in March, was responsible for leaking the damaging video to the media. The lawyers argued the leak was a calculated effort to “mortally wound the reputation and the prospect of Sean Combs successfully defending himself against these allegations.”
“The videotape was leaked to CNN for one reason alone: to taint the grand jury and a potential trial jury,” the filing stated, citing a federal rule prohibiting prosecutors or government agents from disclosing matters occurring before a grand jury.
While the lawyers did not provide direct evidence of the government’s involvement, they pointed to anonymous leaks to the press, including comments to The New York Post, as proof of a concerted effort to undermine Combs’ case.
The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to requests for comment, and representatives for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and CNN also declined to address the allegations.
Prosecutors have made no secret of the importance of the hotel surveillance footage, describing it as a critical piece of evidence in their case against Combs. They argue the video shows the music mogul using force against Cassie in an attempt to prevent her from leaving a so-called “freak-off” – highly orchestrated sexual encounters with male prostitutes that Combs allegedly directed and filmed.
In court filings, prosecutors have accused Combs of a decades-long pattern of physical and sexual violence, using the federal racketeering law to charge him with running a “criminal enterprise” that helped him carry out sex trafficking and other crimes. The racketeering conspiracy charge alone carries a maximum sentence of up to life in prison.
Combs has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have countered that the recorded assault, while “upsetting to watch,” was not evidence of sex trafficking but rather the result of a “lovers’ quarrel” between Combs and Cassie. They claim Cassie had discovered proof of Combs’ infidelity on his phone, leading to the violent confrontation in the hotel hallway.
The defense has also argued that Cassie, who received a “substantial eight-figure settlement” after suing Combs, was unlikely to be the source of the leaked video and that a government agent was more likely responsible.
Combs’ lawyers have requested a hearing to determine the government’s guilt in the leaks. They have indicated they may seek to suppress the video as evidence or even push for dismissing the charges.
The high-stakes legal battle comes as Combs faces a slew of other civil lawsuits from alleged victims, including claims of sexual assault, rape, and the hosting of “sex-trafficking parties.” The 54-year-old music mogul, who is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, was recently denied bail, with a judge citing concerns that he could use his wealth and influence to interfere with the government’s case.
Despite the mounting legal troubles, Combs’ lawyers have vowed to fight the charges, asserting their client’s right to a speedy trial and requesting a court date as early as April or May 2025. For its part, the government has said it will be ready to proceed on a timeline set by the court.
As the case continues to unfold, the allegations against Combs have rocked the music industry and raised broader questions about the treatment of women in the entertainment world. The outcome of this high-profile trial could have far-reaching implications, both for Combs’ future and for the broader culture of power and privilege that has long permeated the highest echelons of the music business.