Diddy Spotted for First Time Since Release of Damning Cassie Hotel Video
After the shocking Cassie video footage was released and intense public backlash, Diddy was seen in public for the first time.
According to TMZ, the hip-hop mogul was seen walking through his Miami neighborhood on Sunday, looking unbothered as he smoked a cigar.
It was the first time Puffy was seen in public since CNN aired the eight-year-old surveillance footage. The controversial clip showed him brutally beating his ex-girlfriend and label artist Casandra Ventura in what appears to be the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.
The video supports the harrowing claims Cassie made against Sean “Diddy” Combs in a bombshell 35-page lawsuit. It read, “Mr. Combs became extremely intoxicated and punched Ms. Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye.”
“He grabbed at her, and then took glass vases in the hallway and threw them at her, causing glass to crash around them as she ran to the elevator to escape,” it continued.
Readers will remember that Diddy previously denied all allegations, writing a post on Instagram that read, “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family, and for the truth.”
Well, he is now backtracking in an apology video released Sunday, May 19.
“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was f—ed up—I hit rock bottom—but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”
“I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry,” the American rapper confessed.
Meredith Firetog, a partner at Wigdor LLP and a member of Cassie’s legal team, is firing back, saying his mea culpa is “more about himself than the many people he has hurt.”
“When Cassie and other multiple women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday. That he was only compelled to ‘apologize’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words,” she declared.
Here’s the thing, though: The statute of limitations applies to the “extremely disturbing and difficult to watch” video so he won’t face assault and battery charges.
The DA’s office issued a statement confirming they are “aware of the video that has been circulating online” but it can’t be used against Diddy. “If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately, we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.”
However, his federal investigation, which his lawyer calls “a witch hunt,” will continue.
