Diddy’s Lawyers Claim CNN Altered Video of Cassie Ventura Assault

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers in his federal case are claiming that the bombshell CNN video that showed the rap mogul allegedly abusing his ex-girlfriend and singer, Cassie Ventura, on March 5, 2016, was altered and the original footage was destroyed.

In the surveillance video — released by CNN on May 17, 2024 — Ventura, 38, exited a hotel room at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles and walked toward a bank of elevators as Combs, 55, chased after her wearing a white towel around his waist and socks. When he reached her, Combs grabbed her by the neck and tossed her to the floor. Combs then turned to violently kick her as he grabbed her purse and suitcase.

As Ventura lay motionless, Combs kicked her again and briefly dragged her toward the direction of the room before letting go and walking away. Seconds later, he sat down at a chair, grabbed an object off a table and forcefully threw it toward her.

Combs is then seen walking away and turning toward Ventura again when an elevator door opens and someone appears to exit. The video shows Combs grabbing, shoving and kicking Ventura during an altercation that matched allegations she made in a now-settled lawsuit filed in November 2023.

“The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light,” Ventura’s attorney Douglas H. Wigdor said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE in 2024.

Last year, Combs released an apology video addressing the incident. “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” he said on May 19, 2024. “Disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it, I’m disgusted now. I went and I sought out professional help, 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,” Combs continued. He had previously denied Ventura’s allegations of assault.

In the New York City filing on Thursday, March 13, Combs’ legal team claims CNN purchased the only known copy of the surveillance footage, uploaded it to a free editing software and edited the original video.

“All CNN video footage was substantially altered in significant respects,” the letter to Judge Arun Subramanian reads. “This includes covering the time stamp and then changing the video sequence. It also includes speeding up the video to make it falsely appear that the actions in the video are taking place faster than they are. As a result, the CNN videos do not fairly and accurately depict the events in question.”

The letter further claims CNN destroyed the original footage “even though it knew about and repeatedly reported about the federal investigation.”

“It’s is not surprising that Combs would make a disingenuous argument to exclude the disturbing video from being shown to the jury in the upcoming trial,” Ventura’s attorney Wigdor said in a statement to PEOPLE. “I am confident that the video fairly and accurately represents what happened, will be admitted into evidence, and that Combs will be held accountable for his depravity.”

Representatives for CNN did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. Combs’ legal team had no further comment.

The filing notes that the video will be addressed in an upcoming motion. “We will be disclosing the subpoenaed materials to the government so it will be prepared to respond to the defense motion on this subject,” the letter states.

In September 2024, Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution. He is currently incarcerated at MDC-Brooklyn as he awaits his eight-week trial beginning on May 5.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.