Diddy's lawyers accuse CNN of altering and destroying original footage of Cassie Ventura assault

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: As Sean "Diddy" Combs awaits his trial on May 5, his legal team has claimed that the explosive CNN video, which shows the rapper allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, was altered, and the original footage has been destroyed. 

Combs, who was arrested in September 2024 and faces multiple serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy and fraud, is currently incarcerated at MDC Brooklyn.

What did Diddy’s lawyers report about CNN's Cassie Ventura assault video?

In a filing submitted to New York City on Thursday, March 13, Sean 'Diddy' Combs' legal team alleged that CNN purchased the only known copy of the surveillance footage, uploaded it to free editing software, and altered the original video, People reported.

The letter to Judge Arun Subramanian argued, "All CNN video footage was substantially altered in significant respects. 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 filing also claimed that CNN destroyed the original footage despite being aware of and repeatedly reporting on the federal investigation.

In response, Cassie Ventura's attorney Douglas H Wigdor stated, "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. 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."

A CNN spokesperson responded to the claims, saying, "CNN never altered the video and did not destroy the original copy of the footage, which was retained by the source. CNN aired the story about the video several months before Combs was arrested." 

The filing also mentioned that the video would 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 concluded.

CNN video shows Diddy assaulting Cassie Ventura while leaving hotel room

Surveillance footage shared by CNN on May 17, 2024, shows an alarming altercation between Sean "Diddy" Combs and his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles. 

This disturbing footage echoes the allegations Cassie made in a lawsuit filed in November 2023, which has since been settled.

Wigdor called the video "gut-wrenching" and stated, "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," as quoted in a 2024 statement obtained by People.