Sean "Diddy" Combs, the renowned rapper, is currently facing a federal sex trafficking trial. The spotlight has been on a hotel surveillance video from 2016, showing a heated altercation with his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. CNN aired this footage in May 2024, but Combs' defense team claims the video has been tampered with. They allege that CNN altered the video by covering the timestamp, changing the sequence, and speeding it up. The defense also accuses CNN of destroying the original footage after editing it. CNN, however, denies these allegations, insisting that the original video still exists with the source. Combs' legal team maintains that CNN destroyed the original file they received.

The video's release came after Cassie Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against Combs in November 2023, accusing him of physical and sexual abuse. She withdrew the lawsuit the very next day. Combs was later arrested in September 2024 and charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and other serious offenses. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Combs' trial is set to begin on May 5, 2025, with the prosecution expecting to present their case over six weeks. Combs' legal team estimates needing two weeks for their defense.

The allegations against Combs are severe. Authorities claim he ran a criminal enterprise through his businesses, using threats, coercion, and abuse to fulfill his desires. Combs and his employees allegedly lured female victims into his orbit, often under the pretense of a romantic relationship. The rapper has denied all allegations. Combs' homes were raided in March 2024 as part of a human trafficking investigation. Combs apologized for his behavior in the video, stating he sought professional help and went to therapy. He is currently behind bars awaiting his trial.

Diddy's Legal Drama: Video Alteration Claims and Denials

Actions