Howard College trustees on Friday voted to rescind an honorary degree granted to Sean “Diddy” Combs, citing a not long ago surfaced video clip of the hip-hop mogul consistently attacking Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.
Trustees of the Washington, D.C., university also disbanded a scholarship in Combs’ identify and terminated a 2016 “gift agreement” in which Combs had contributed $1 million by means of his foundation, according to a college statement. His foundation’s foreseeable future financial pledges have also been canceled.
The university, which Combs attended, explained the vote “to take the return … of the honorary diploma conferred on him in 2014” was unanimous.
“Mr. Combs’ conduct as captured in a just lately produced video clip is so basically incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no for a longer time worthy to keep the institution’s optimum honor,” the assertion continued. “The university is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.”
Friday’s conclusion is the latest setback for Combs, and arrives as federal prosecutors in New York are thinking of no matter whether a Homeland Protection Investigations probe into alleged intercourse trafficking must outcome in criminal costs.
In the 2016 online video, acquired and published by CNN very last thirty day period, Combs is viewed chasing, kicking, dragging and hurling a glass vase at Ventura, who was his girlfriend at the time. The movie seemed to affirm at least some of the bodily abuse allegations towards the singer thorough in a lawsuit submitted in November — accusations Combs had denied.
That lawsuit was settled a day immediately after it was submitted in U.S. District Court docket for the Southern District of New York. In it, Ventura alleged that Combs “became particularly intoxicated and punched” her in the encounter, “giving her a black eye” during an attack in March 2016.
In a movie assertion posted on Instagram times right after the video’s launch, Combs stated, “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I choose entire obligation for my actions in that video clip.”
“I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” he additional. “I went and I sought out professional support. I obtained into likely to remedy, heading to rehab. I experienced to request God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m fully commited to be a improved person just about every and just about every working day. I’m not inquiring for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”
Federal prosecutors are making ready grand jury subpoenas for witnesses to testify in the sexual intercourse-trafficking investigation from Combs, according to a resource acquainted with the issue.
Investigators have by now interviewed many witnesses and informed them to be prepared to testify, the resource mentioned, nevertheless it continues to be unclear when that testimony will happen or how much federal officers are in analyzing whether or not to provide costs. The supply spoke on the problem of anonymity simply because the scenario is ongoing.
Combs has not been charged with any criminal offense and has denied any wrongdoing. The probe was launched soon after a few females, such as Ventura, accused him of rape, assault and other abuses dating back 3 decades.
In March, investigators hunting Combs’ Holmby Hills mansion emptied safes, dismantled electronics and still left papers strewn in some rooms, resources told The Occasions.
Combs’ attorneys have strongly criticized the federal probe, calling the searches of his properties “militarized” and a “witch hunt.”
