Dozens of Diddy's former associates, employees, and Bad Boy musicians have accused the American rapper of "abusive and violent" behavior, all detailed in a recent Rolling Stone report. The probe comes in response to previously unreleased CCTV footage of Diddy—real name Sean Combs—kicking his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura that surfaced online last week.
CNN was able to get security footage that appeared to show Combs shoving Ventura to the ground before trying to drag her, kick her, and hurl a vase at her. Since then, Combs has expressed regret and said, "I take full responsibility for my actions in that video."
Over the previous six months, Rolling Stone conducted interviews with "dozens of former friends, acquaintances, employees, Bad Boy artists, and industry insiders." Just fifty of the 300 individuals contacted agreed to speak with the magazine.
According Rolling Stone, several women who went to Howard University with Combs said they had "seen signs of a controlling and abusive personality decades ago.". Additionally, unnamed students told the magazine that there were alleged "previously unreported incidents involving unwanted touching and fits of rage." Some said that Combs had a fiery temper during his entire time in college.
Numerous artists that signed with Bad Boy were also contacted by Rolling Stone, but "many declined" to be interviewed. One former Bad Boy artist told the magazine, "I don’t have anything nice to say when it comes to my time with Bad Boy. It was not a good experience and one I really don’t want to relive."
Combs was given a series of questions as part of the Rolling Stone investigation, but he chose not to answer them. In response, his attorney stated, "Mr. Combs cannot comment on settled litigation, will not comment on pending litigation, and cannot address every allegation picked up by the press from any source, no matter how unreliable."
Combs strongly denies the allegations and has not been charged or accused by federal prosecutors of a crime. It's also unclear whether charges against anyone are forthcoming.
Joining Nancy Grace today: