Sean 'Diddy' Combs has returned his key to New York City after a request from Mayor Eric Adams in response to a video showing the music mogul attacking R&B singer Cassie. The mayor's office confirmed that Combs returned the key after Adams sent letters to Combs' offices in New York and California on June 4, rescinding the key and requesting its return to City Hall. The key was received by the city on June 10.
In his letter, Mayor Adams expressed deep concern over the attack, condemning the actions and standing in solidarity with all survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. Combs has faced multiple accusations of sexual abuse and is currently under federal investigation for sex trafficking, which resulted in raids on his properties in Los Angeles and Miami.
A security video aired by CNN in May showed Combs attacking Cassie in a hotel hallway in Los Angeles in 2016. Combs publicly apologized for the incident, acknowledging his actions as inexcusable. Cassie, also known as Cassandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit against Combs last year, leading to increased scrutiny on his behavior. The case was settled the day after it was filed.
Combs was awarded the key to New York City at a ceremony last year coinciding with the release of a new album. However, following the release of the video involving Cassie, Howard University rescinded an honorary degree awarded to Combs and terminated a scholarship program in his name.
As the founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs has been a prominent figure in the hip-hop industry for over three decades, leveraging his musical success into a successful business empire. An email sent to a representative for Combs was not immediately returned for comment.
