When CNN aired disturbing video of Sean Combs attacking his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016, people wondered if he would be charged.
The answer is no.
The LA District Attorney can’t prosecute Combs for assault because the statute of limitations expired in 2019.
The assault took place at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City on March 5, 2016. California’s statute of limitations for simple assault is one year. The statute of limitations for aggravated assault is 3 years.
The video shows Combs running down a hotel hallway wearing only a towel around his waist and socks. He caught up to Cassie at the elevator and threw her to the floor. He then kicked her twice before dragging her down the hallway toward their suite.
“If the conduct depicted occurred in 2016, unfortunately we would be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted,” the LA DA’s office wrote in a statement on Instagram.
Cassie filed a lawsuit against Combs in November 2023. He settled the lawsuit the next day.
Former CIA agent Tracy Walder told People.com that Combs settled so quickly because he knew the hotel had a copy of the video.
Welder alleges that “either [Cassie’s] attorney or the hotel gave CNN the footage since the hotel only got paid $50,000 to keep it quiet,” according to Cassie’s lawsuit.
Five women and one male have sued Combs for sexual assault and other allegations.
Combs vigorously denied all allegations against him in a statement to People.com in December.
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy,” he said.
