Sean “Diddy” Combs has returned his symbolic key to New York City after Mayor Eric Adams announced a committee’s recommendation to “nullify and rescind” the honor.
Combs was asked to return the key following video footage obtained by CNN showing him physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016, according to a June 4 letter Adams sent to Combs.
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In the letter, viewed by CNN, Adams expressed his dismay at the video. “I am deeply disturbed by these actions,” Adams wrote. “I strongly condemn these actions and stand in solidarity with all survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.”
The letter further stated, “After internal deliberations, the Key to the City of New York committee recommended nullifying and rescinding Mr. Combs’ key.”
Combs, who grew up in Harlem, was awarded the key in September 2023. The award is described as a “symbol of civic recognition and gratitude reserved for individuals whose service to the public and the common good rises to the highest level of achievement,” according to a press release at the time. The key was returned to the city on June 10, according to City Hall.
Representatives for Combs has not commented.
Since November, Combs has been named in eight civil lawsuits, seven of which directly accuse him of sexual assault. One of these lawsuits, filed by Ventura, has been settled. Another lawsuit accuses his son Christian Combs of sexual assault, with Sean Combs being accused of aiding and abetting.
Combs has vehemently denied many of the allegations but has not responded to all. In December 2023, after four lawsuits had been filed, Combs posted a strong denial on social media, calling the allegations “sickening” and accusing the accusers of “looking for a quick payday.” He wrote, “Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.”
Federal investigators are preparing to bring accusers of Combs before a federal grand jury, two sources familiar with the probe told CNN, signaling that the U.S. Justice Department is moving toward potentially seeking an indictment of Combs. Bringing individuals who have filed civil lawsuits against Combs before a grand jury would mark a significant escalation in the government’s ongoing investigation involving the producer and Bad Boy Records founder.
