Diddy Blames Department of Homeland Security: Understanding Lawyers’ Claims on 2016 Cassie Assault Video

Rapper Sean “Diddy”Combs, along with his legal team, is reportedly pointing fingers at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for allegedly orchestrating the leak of a 2016 assault video featuring Cassie. A report released by Page Six on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, highlighted claims made in documents submitted by his attorney, suggesting that a government official intentionally disclosed the footage with the aim to:

“Mortally wound the reputation and the prospect of Sean Combs successfully defending himself against these allegations.”

For those unfamiliar, in May 2024, CNN aired surveillance footage from a Los Angeles hotel lobby (the InterContinental Hotel in Century City), which depicted Combs kicking and dragging his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.

A federal investigation culminated in Diddy’s arrest in September on several grave charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and interstate transportation for prostitution. The indictment accused the rapper of operating a “criminal enterprise”that subjected women and others to years of sexual and physical abuse while working to conceal evidence.

Diddy’s attorneys reference the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in their new legal filings

Page Six reports that Diddy’s legal representatives, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, contend that the government was aware they possessed a “deplorable video recording”but chose to “misuse it.”The publication, citing legal documents, stated:

“Instead of utilizing the videotape as evidence in court, alongside additional evidence providing context and meaning, the agents exploited it in a profoundly prejudicial and harmful manner. The government recognized the gravity of the situation: a frankly deplorable video showing Sean Combs in a towel striking, kicking, and dragging a woman, entirely visible to the camera in the hotel corridor.”

This CCTV footage supported the allegations put forth in Cassie’s lawsuit filed in November 2023, where she accused Diddy of rape and domestic abuse. Although the couple reached a settlement a day later, multiple others have since filed lawsuits against the music mogul on similar grounds. Initially, Diddy denied all accusations, but after facing public backlash due to the video, he issued a public apology through a now-deleted social media video.

The wave of lawsuits triggered a federal investigation into sex trafficking that led to raids on Diddy’s properties in both Los Angeles and Miami. According to his indictment, authorities confiscated numerous AR-15 rifles, large-capacity magazines, and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant.

According to Page Six, the legal documents referenced the DHS two times: first, regarding the raids being conducted “to attract sensational media coverage,”and second, noting that several DHS agents consistently made “inflammatory”comments about Diddy to the media.

The publication quotes the documents stating:

“The government’s scheme to undermine Mr. Combs’ right to a fair trial employs various methods and tactics. Firstly, there has been an uninterrupted stream of false and damaging statements issued by DHS agents to numerous media outlets over the past seven months. Secondly, the agents conducted a notably harsh and public search of Mr. Combs’ residences, during which they handcuffed Mr. Combs’ innocent sons and paraded them before a news helicopter and the media.”

Diddy’s attorneys claim this behavior was intended to create the impression that there exists “overwhelming evidence”against the Bad Boy Entertainment founder, which purportedly justifies their “public and brutal treatment of Diddy and his children.”

The legal team is urging the court to suppress the video if it can be demonstrated that a government agent was involved in its leak, thereby ensuring their client receives a “fair trial.”

Diddy continues to deny the charges outlined in the indictment. He is currently held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after two bail requests were denied. A pre-trial hearing for the rapper is scheduled for Thursday at a Manhattan court.

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