Diddy Suffers More Setbacks As He Returns Key To New York City Over Cassie Assault Video

Sean "Diddy" Combs returned his ceremonial Key to New York City following Mayor Eric Adams' request after a video of the rapper assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura surfaced.

The mayor emphasized support for domestic abuse survivors, noting that the Key to New York City is for model citizens only.

Diddy has since apologized for his actions seen in the video; however, Cassie's attorney criticized his apology video as self-centered.

The embattled music producer, Diddy, is currently under investigation for sex trafficking and other crimes after Cassie's scathing lawsuit against him last year.

According to TMZ, Diddy returned his ceremonial Key to New York City, which he had been awarded last year.

The decision follows a letter from Mayor Adams on June 4, asking for the return of the Key amid backlash over a video showing Diddy assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie.

In a letter requesting the Key's return, Adams emphasized support for domestic abuse survivors and explained that the Key to the City is intended for model citizens, a standard Diddy no longer meets.

Last September, Mayor Adams awarded Diddy the Key to the City, celebrating his contributions to NYC and his support for black entrepreneurs, including substantial donations.

According to the Daily Mail, Adams praised Diddy as a "son of Harlem" who "worked his way to the top, becoming a successful musical talent both in front of and behind the mic."

He added that "despite all of his successes, Sean has never forgotten where he came from," calling the rap mogul the "embodiment of New York City attitude."

While Diddy will remain on NYC's list of recipients, his entry has been updated to reflect the return of the Key to the City.

In an interview with PIX11 last month, Adams expressed his deep disturbance over the video showing the assault.

"I think all of us were deeply disturbed by watching that chilling video of the young lady being assaulted by him," he stated.

"The committee and the team have never rescinded a key before, but we are now sitting down to see what the next steps forward are going to be," Adams added.

Following the release of the assault video showing Diddy hitting Cassie, the music mogul released a video apologizing for his actions. He admitted to hitting rock bottom but stressed that he makes "no excuses."

Diddy said, "It's so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was f-cked up. I mean, I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses. My behavior [in] that video is inexcusable."

He added, "I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I'm disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it; I'm disgusted now."

Diddy is currently under federal investigation, facing serious allegations of sexual assault and abuse.

After Diddy's apology video, Cassie's attorney, Meredith Firetog, criticized his apology, stating: "Combs' latest statement is more about himself than the many people he has hurt."

Firetog continued, "When Cassie and other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested his victims were seeking a payday. That he was only compelled to 'apologize' once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words."

The disturbing video, obtained by CNN, showed Diddy shirtless with a towel around his waist, chasing Cassie down a hallway at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City.

As the "Official Girl" singer attempted to enter an elevator, Diddy grabbed her by the back of her head and slammed her to the ground. He then kicked her as she lay motionless on the floor. He stood over her, kicked her again, and dragged her back to their room by her hoodie.

In a recent interview with "60 Minutes," Mylah Morales, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with some of the world's biggest stars, recounted a disturbing incident from 2010 that continues to haunt her.

She revealed that she was working with Diddy and Cassie when she saw the rapper violently assault his then-girlfriend.

"He's a monster, he's literally a monster," Morales said, per CNN. "I wake up to him storming in the room and screaming, 'Where is she?'"

Morales described witnessing the aftermath of the assault: "They shut the door, and everything just started happening. I saw the bruises, the busted lip, the knots on the head."

"I always looked at her as my little sister. She was young, sweet, and had such a beautiful spirit," Morales noted.

The makeup artist also revealed that she called a doctor friend to help treat Cassie's injuries, fearing it was too dangerous to go to the hospital or police.

"You think we could have done that back then? No, absolutely not, that would not be safe for any of us," she said. "We're not dealing with a normal person. The person who did the abuse is powerful, and that's not something we can take lightly."