Diddy’s Arrest Brings New Attention to Diddy-Inspired Legislation

With Sean “Diddy” Combs being arrested again on federal sex trafficking, kidnapping and racketeering charges, a state lawmaker is hoping the new law enforcement action will bring new attention to a bill inspired by the famous rapper.

Brooklyn Assemblyman Brian Cunningham introduced a bill this year inspired by the release of six-year-old hotel security camera footage showing Combs beating his then-girlfriend. Combs quickly apologized for his past behavior toward Cassie Ventura, though he had previously denied her allegations of physical and sexual assault. Despite its existence, the video that supported Ventura’s allegations was not revealed until years later, after the statute of limitations on the alleged assault had expired.

Under the proposal Cunningham introduced shortly after seeing the video, New Yorkers would have the right to sue anyone who bribes someone to withhold, alter or destroy criminal evidence. “What we saw was an institution, like the hotel, that willfully suppressed information that could have held Sean Combs accountable in 2016,” Cunningham said. He called the proposal “Cassie’s Law” in honor of Ventura.

The bill doesn’t yet have a counterpart in the state Senate, but that will soon change. Cunningham said state Sen. Julia Salazar — chair of her chamber’s Crime, Crime Victims and Corrections Committee — has expressed interest in sponsoring the legislation. “Julia immediately texted and asked, ‘Who’s the Senate sponsor?’” Cunningham said. “I said, ‘Well, you if you want.’” Salazar confirmed she plans to introduce Cassie’s Bill in her chamber and is working with the assemblyman on the issue.

The bill was formally introduced on June 20, after the legislative session ended for the year, though Cunningham submitted the bill almost immediately after seeing the surveillance footage. “It happened so late, as you know, at the end of last session, that we didn’t have time to put any gas on it,” Cunningham said. “And I told the team, ‘Hold on tight, because this case is far from over.’” Upon hearing the news of Comb’s arrest last night, Cunningham — a hip-hop fan who grew up during Diddy’s heyday in the ’90s — said it was disappointing to watch the rapper continue to fall from grace, but expressed hope that it would help move his legislation forward.

With lawmakers back from Albany for the year, Cunningham said he is preparing for the upcoming legislative session to reintroduce his bill. That includes meeting with groups that support victims to build a coalition to support the legislation and holding listening sessions to hear from those affected. “With this issue being at the forefront of people’s minds, we’re going to take this time to ask our colleagues to sign on and try to get this across the finish line as quickly as possible in the first part of the new year,” Cunningham said.