Howard University’s Board of Trustees voted on Friday to revoke an honorary degree awarded to Sean “Diddy” Combs, citing a recently released video showing the hip-hop mogul repeatedly attacking Casandra “Cassie” Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.
D.C. University trustees also dissolved scholarships in Coombs’ name and terminated a 2016 “gift agreement” in which Coombs donated $1 million through his foundation, according to a university statement. Future financial commitments from his foundation were also canceled.
Coombs’ university said the vote was unanimous “to return… the honorary degree awarded to him in 2014.”
“Mr. Combs’ conduct captured in the recently released video is fundamentally incompatible with the core values and beliefs of Howard University, and as such he is no longer deemed worthy of receiving the institution’s highest honor. “The school stands firmly against all forms of interpersonal violence Behavior. “
Friday’s decision is the latest setback for Coombs, who comes as federal prosecutors in New York consider whether a Homeland Security investigation into alleged sex trafficking should lead to criminal charges.
In the 2016 footage obtained and released by CNN last month, Combs can be seen chasing, kicking, dragging and throwing a glass vase at Ventura, his then-girlfriend. The footage appears to corroborate some of the physical abuse allegations against the singer detailed in a lawsuit filed in November — allegations that Combs denies.
The lawsuit was settled one day after it was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. In it, Ventura claimed that Combs “got very drunk and punched” her in the face during an attack in March 2016, “leaving her eye swollen.”
Days after the video was released, Combs posted a statement about the video on Instagram, saying, “My actions in this video are inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in this video.”
“I was disgusted when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” he added. “I went to seek professional help. I started going to therapy, rehab. I had to ask God for mercy and grace. I’m sorry. But I’m committed to becoming a better person every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. Really terribly sorry.
Federal prosecutors are preparing grand jury subpoenas for witnesses to testify in the sex trafficking investigation against Combs, people familiar with the matter said.
Investigators have interviewed several witnesses and told them they are prepared to testify, but it is unclear when that will happen or how far along federal officials are in deciding whether to file charges, sources said. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the case is ongoing.
Combs has not been charged with any crime and denies any wrongdoing. The investigation was launched after three women, including Ventura, accused him of rape, assault and other abuse three decades ago.
Sources told The Times that in March, investigators searched Combs’ Homeby Hills mansion, emptying the safe, removing electronic equipment and leaving documents scattered in some rooms.
Combs’ attorneys have strongly criticized the federal investigation, calling the search of his home “militarized” and a “witch hunt.”
