Diddy Can't Be Charged Over 'Disturbing' 2016 Video Where He Seemingly Assaults Ex Cassie, LA District Attorney's Office Says
Sean "Diddy" Combs is unlikely to face litigation over the leaked 2016 footage of him seemingly attacking and assaulting his ex, Cassie, according to legal experts.
The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office released a statement regarding the video, which it found "disturbing." However, the office said that the producer and rapper couldn't be prosecuted due to the statute of limitations.
"We are aware of the video that has been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles," the office said in a statement released on Friday on Instagram.
"We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch. 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."
Additionally, the law enforced has reportedly not presented a case against Diddy related to the alleged assault. The office, however, encouraged those who suffered from the same abuse or witnessed such incidents to come forward.
"We encourage anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report it to law enforcement or reach out to our office for support from our Bureau of Victims Services," the office concluded.
Cassie sued Diddy for rape and abuse in November. She claimed that he forced her into sexual acts with male prostitutes and filmed it. The singer and songwriter also reportedly "frequently" beat her and supplied her with drugs.
Several celebrities showed support for Cassie, including Aubrey O'Day and Azealia Banks. O'Day competed on Diddy's "Making the Band 3" and was selected to join a girl group under his label, Bad Boy Records. However, in the "Making the Band 4" finale, Diddy announced that she had been dropped.
Years later, O'Day claimed she was kicked out of the program because she "wasn't willing to do what was expected of [her] -- not talent-wise, but in other areas."
Banks also supported Cassie's allegation. According to her, Diddy once "beat her up so bad" that he sent Cassie on a three-week vacation to Hawaii so no one would reportedly question her face. She called Diddy a "violent hip-hop homosexual."
Diddy and Cassie settled the case out of court just a day after her filing.
On Friday, CNN released a hotel surveillance footage dated March 5, 2016. In the video, Diddy seemingly assaulted his ex-girlfriend. He kicked her and dragged her when she was about to leave and ride an elevator.
