The video, which surfaced on May 17, 2023, shows Diddy reportedly beating Cassie in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel. Diddy's lawyers say that CNN contacted them on the same day, claiming they had obtained surveillance footage from the incident and planned to publish it. Diddy's legal team immediately reached out to the prosecutors in his case, expressing concerns that someone from law enforcement might have leaked the tape.
After CNN released the footage, an Assistant U.S. Attorney responded, thanking Diddy's lawyers for the heads-up and acknowledging they had now seen the video.
Diddy's team believes that DHS is behind the leak, noting that agents from the department had been quoted in multiple reports about Diddy's criminal investigation. They argue that the leak was intended to damage Diddy's reputation, not for personal gain but to harm him publicly.
His attorneys also dismiss the idea that Cassie could have leaked the video, as her lawsuit against Diddy didn’t suggest she had possession of the footage. They further suggest the timing of the release—on a slow news day during a break in Donald Trump’s trial—was meant to maximize attention on the story.
Diddy's legal team is requesting an evidentiary hearing to address the issue. They have also accused federal agents of using excessive force during raids on his homes in Los Angeles and Miami, claiming agents even handcuffed his children during the searches.