Diddy returns his key to New York City in response to Cassie attack video

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Sean “Diddy” Combs has returned his key to New York City after Mayor Eric Adams asked him to do so in response to the release of a video showing the music mogul attacking R&B singer Cassie, officials said Saturday (June 15).

The mayor’s office said Combs returned the key after Adams sent letters to the controversial musician’s offices in New York and California on June 4 revoking the key and asking that it be returned to City Hall. The city received the key on June 10.

In his letter, Adams wrote that he was “deeply disturbed” by the attack, adding: “I condemn these acts in the strongest possible terms and stand in solidarity with all survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.”

Combs’ career was derailed by numerous allegations of sexual abuse, as well as a federal sex trafficking investigation that led to raids on Combs’ mansions in Los Angeles and Miami.

In May, CNN aired surveillance video showing Combs attacking Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. Combs said he was “sincerely sorry” for the attack on Cassie and called his actions “inexcusable.” Cassie, whose real name is Cassandra Ventura, sued Combs last year, sparking a wave of increased criticism of Combs. That case was settled a day after the lawsuit was filed.

Adams presented the key to Combs at a ceremony last year that coincided with the release of a new album.

Howard University this month revoked an honorary doctorate awarded to Combs and ended a scholarship program in his name after the video featuring Cassie was released.

Combs, founder of Bad Boy Records, is one of the most influential hip-hop producers and managers of the last three decades and has turned his musical success into a business empire.

An email to a Combs representative listed online was not immediately returned.