CNN says there’s no truth to claims made by Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team that the network “altered” the 2016 surveillance video that showed the mogul attacking his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel.
“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 network said in a statement to TMZ on Thursday, March 13.
The statement came in response to a filing earlier in the day by the mogul’s lawyers in Manhattan federal court.
“CNN purchased the only known copy of the Hotel’s surveillance footage, uploaded that footage into a free editing software, altered the video; and then destroyed the original footage even though it knew about and repeatedly reported about the federal case,” the attorneys alleged in the filing obtained by Urban Hollywood 411.
Related: Police Chief Named in Diddy Assault Lawsuit Faces Internal Investigation
They argued that the hotel footage should not be allowed as evidence in Diddy’s federal criminal trial because the video was manipulated.
CNN obtained the video and published it on May 17, 2024.
Two days later, Diddy posted and later deleted a video apology.
“I was fu–ed up. I hit rock bottom, but I make no excuses. My behavior on that video is inexcusable,” he said.
Diddy was arrested in September 2024, and charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His trial is scheduled to begin on May 5, 2025.
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