"Hit him in the head with a cellphone and took his clothing" -Diddy's lawyer defends him by leveling cheating allegations against Cassie

Hip-hop magnate Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested by federal agents on September 16 on the charges of racketeering conspiracy, s*x trafficking by force, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The following day, he appeared in a Manhattan court where he pled “not guilty” to all the charges, but was denied bail as the prosecutors argued he was a “serious flight risk.”

In the wake of his first-day court appearance, Diddy’s attorney Marc Agnifilo defended his client outside the courthouse on Tuesday. While doing this, he referred to the video released by CNN in May 2024, which showed Diddy allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura.

The latter was trying to escape with her bag while heading for the hotel elevator. However, Diddy chased her down wearing a white towel, and shoved her to the ground, later punching and kicking her.

During his statement, the criminal defense attorney claimed that Ventura stole his clothes and “hit him,” following which he chased her down the hallway, as seen in the surveillance footage from March 2016. Inner City Press shared Agnifilo’s statement, in which he claimed on September 17:

“Two people were in a hotel room. An issue that Mr. Combs had more than one girlfriend, okay? Victim 1 was looking through his phone and saw that – then hit him in the head with a cellphone, and took his clothing. So, he comes out in a towel.”

He also claimed that his client and Ventura allegedly cheated on one another.

Notably, Cassie sued Diddy in November 2023, accusing him of assault, abuse, and trafficking. The matter was later settled outside court. However, Diddy’s attorney went on record at the time, saying that it was in no way an admission of guilt.

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"Victim 1 ended up marrying the trainer that Mr. Combs got for her" - Exploring Diddy’s attorney’s statements regarding his client and Cassie amid after-arrest court appearance

On September 17, Diddy appeared for the first time in court following his Monday’s arrest. At the end of the day’s proceedings, his attorney Marc Agnifilo issued several statements, including addressing the accusations brought by Cassie last year.

Marc alleged that both his client and Ventura cheated on one another despite being “in love,” asserting that the latter even married the trainer Diddy arranged for her, her now-husband Alex Fine.

“These two people were in love. Victim 1 ended up marrying the trainer that Mr. Combs got for her. They had been cheating on each other for years. But now she had two kids with the trainer. Years later, she realized she had a good thing with Mr. Combs,” Diddy’s legal counsel alleged.

Marc Agnifilo further claimed that Cassie’s lawyer called Combs’ lawyer last year, alleging that she has “written a book” and reportedly asked for $30 million in exchange for buying its rights.

“We have a recorded conversation. It did not go well for her and the lawyer. November 2023, she sues. When he contacts witnesses, it's not to stop a criminal investigation, it's to not be seen that one. Why is it depicted as a one-sided thing? There's 30 million reasons, a dollar a piece. She said, 'I'm going to write a book, you can buy the rights,'” the lawyer added.

The New York-based attorney mentioned how his client was “not a perfect person” and was “trying to be better for the rest of his days.” He also mentioned that people should “stand with” Combs as he was “trying to get the help” he needed.

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Looking back at Cassie and Diddy’s statements in the wake of the CNN footage release

On May 16, 2024, CNN obtained never-seen-before surveillance footage from March 2016, which saw Sean Combs abusing Casandra Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway. A day later, the outlet exclusively released it to the public. It showed Cassie hurrying barefoot towards an elevator while trying to put on her shoes.

Later, she tried to grab her belongings but was unable to leave as her then-boyfriend chased her down and pushed her against the ground. Diddy, who only had a towel wrapped around his waist, was then seen taking Cassie by the neck, and subsequently dragging her down the hallway, while she tried to break free. He was also seen throwing a vase in her direction.

In the wake of this, the No Way Out rapper issued an apology video on Instagram, which has since been removed. He mentioned how “truly sorry” he was for his behavior and added:

“I was f*cked up. I mean, I hit rock bottom. But I make no excuses. My behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now. It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that.”

He continued:

“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. But I’m committed to being a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”

Casandra Ventura also spoke about the video. She thanked her family, friends, and fans for their “love and support,” mentioning how it made her “younger self to settle and feel safe now.”

"Domestic violence is THE issue. It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today. But I will always be recovering from my past,” she shared.

Cassie also extended her solidarity to other victims and survivors of domestic abuse, adding how it took a lot of courage to speak out. Her husband Alex Fine also addressed the matter on social media and said, “Men who hit women aren’t men. Men who enable it and protect those people aren’t men… Men who hurt women hate women.”

He also urged other men to hold themselves accountable and make the women in their lives feel “protected and loved” and hold them in “utmost regard.”