Sean “Diddy” Combs issues apology for beating ex-girlfriend Cassie

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs admitted that he beat his ex-girlfriend Cassie in a lodge hallway in 2016 after CNN launched video of the assault, saying in a video apology he was “really sorry” and his actions had been “inexcusable.”

“I take full accountability for my actions in that video. I used to be disgusted then once I did it. I’m disgusted now,” the music mogul mentioned in a video assertion posted Sunday to Instagram and Fb.

The safety video aired Friday exhibits Combs, sporting solely a white towel, punching and kicking Cassie, an R&B singer who was his protege and longtime girlfriend on the time. The footage additionally exhibits Combs shoving and dragging Cassie, and throwing a vase in her route.

Cassie, whose authorized title is Cassandra Ventura, sued Combs in November over what she mentioned was years of sexual, bodily and emotional abuse. The swimsuit was settled the following day, however spurred intense scrutiny of Combs, with a number of extra lawsuits filed within the following months, together with a federal legal sex-trafficking investigation that led authorities to raid Combs’ mansions in Los Angeles and Miami.

He had denied the allegations within the lawsuits, however neither he nor his representatives had responded to the newly emerged video till Sunday.

“It’s so tough to replicate on the darkest occasions in your life, however typically you bought to try this,” Diddy says on the video. He provides, “I went and I sought out skilled assist. I obtained into going to remedy, going to rehab. I needed to ask God for his mercy and charm. I’m so sorry. However I’m dedicated to be a greater man every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m really sorry.”

Combs is wanting somber and sporting a T-shirt within the selfie-style apology video, and seems to be on a patio. It’s the hip-hop mogul’s most direct response and first apology after six months of allegations which have threatened his status and profession.

In December, after Ventura and at the least three different ladies had filed lawsuits in opposition to him, Combs posted an announcement on Instagram broadly denying the reality of all of them.

“Let me completely clear. I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged,” the submit mentioned.

The safety digicam video, dated March 5, 2016, carefully resembles the outline of an incident at an InterContinental Resort within the Century Metropolis space of Los Angeles described in Ventura’ lawsuit.

The swimsuit alleges that Combs paid the lodge $50,000 for the safety video instantly after the incident. Neither he or his representatives have addressed that particular allegation. CNN didn’t say the way it obtained the footage.

The swimsuit mentioned Ventura had been attempting to get away from a sleeping Combs, who had already punched her within the face earlier than the video started.

Combs shouldn’t be at risk of being criminally prosecuted for the beating. The statutes of limitations for the assault and battery expenses he can be prone to face expired years in the past.

The identical is true of lots of the allegations within the lawsuits, however the federal investigators following Combs are doubtless on the lookout for potential crimes they will carry below the legislation.

Ventura signed to Diddy’s label in 2005. The 2 had an on-again-off-again romantic relationship for greater than a decade beginning in 2007.