American rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs has issued a public apology for physically assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, after CCTV footage emerged showing him kicking and pushing her in a hotel hallway in 2016.
In a video posted to Instagram, Diddy expressed remorse for his “inexcusable” actions depicted in the footage aired by CNN.
“I was disgusted when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” he said in his statement.
“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.”
He also committed to improving himself daily.
However, Cassie’s lawyer, Meredith Firetog, criticized Diddy’s apology, calling it self-serving and noting his previous denials when multiple women accused him of abuse.
“When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday,” lawyer Meredith Firetog said.
“That he was only compelled to ‘apologise’ once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words.”
The BBC has not independently verified the video, which shows a man identified as Diddy pushing and kicking Cassie.
The footage was reportedly filmed at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office mentioned that the assault might be too old to prosecute.
Last November, Cassie settled a lawsuit against Diddy, where she accused him of rape and sexual trafficking, for an undisclosed sum.
Several other women have since filed similar lawsuits, and Diddy’s homes were recently raided in a federal human trafficking investigation.
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Sean "Diddy" Combs apologises for attacking his ex-girlfriend Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura#sms #fella | YOLO | Beyond Kontrol | Fear Women | bunso Junction | sister derby | president Akufo-Addo pic.twitter.com/T8xnj0F1Ug
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