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WARNING: This story contains allegations of sexual assault and may affect those who have experienced it or know someone who has.
Netflix has released a four-part docuseries about the criminal investigation and conviction of Sean (Diddy) Combs, despite the music mogul's lawyers accusing Netflix of using “stolen footage that was never authorized for release.”
Series, Sean Combs: Reckoningdebuted on the streaming service Tuesday morning. Among other archival scenes, it uses footage taken with Combs' knowledge six days before his 2024 indictment. In the documentary, Combs talks with lawyers, his employees and other members of his team in an attempt to mitigate the consequences of the investigation against him.
“We have to find somebody to work with us, whether it's from this country or another country,” Combs can be heard telling his lawyer over the phone. “This could be someone who has dealt with the dirtiest of dirty… [the] the dirty business of media and propaganda.”
In a statement provided to CBC News, a spokesperson for Combs called the series an “embarrassing hit” that included footage Netflix had no right to use. Noting that Combs had been compiling footage of his life and career since age 19 to tell his own story, they called its broadcast “fundamentally unfair and illegal.”
They also disagreed with the film's producer, entrepreneur and musician Curtis (50 Cent) Jackson. Jackson and Combs were involved in a long-standing and a highly publicized feud spanning nearly two decades.
WATCH | Sean Combs: Reckoning trailer:
In a statement, director Alexandria Stapleton said they acquired the footage “legally and have the necessary rights” and said they tried to contact Combs' legal team for an interview and comment but did not receive a response.
“One thing about Sean Combs is that he always films himself, and that's been his obsession for decades,” Stapleton said.
Test result
The investigation into Combs largely stemmed from his so-called “crazy” sex parties, which prosecutors alleged some people were forced to participate in against their will. Earlier this year, Combs was found guilty of two counts of transportation for the purpose of prostitution and also not guilty of two counts of sex trafficking and one count of conspiracy.
Although the verdict carried a four-year prison sentence for Combs, it was in many ways seen as a victory for him: the charges for which he was found guilty could have carried a maximum prison term, while the charges for which he was found not guilty could have carried an additional 15-year mandatory minimum sentences.
When the verdict was read in court, Combs clenched his fist in a seemingly relieved display and later celebrated with his family when the hearing was adjourned.
The decision attracted significant media attention at the time, including speculation and criticism regarding the relatively lenient sentence. Sean Combs: Reckoning includes interviews with some of the jurors involved in the case, who explain both their reasoning and their experiences of the case. Jurors are identified only by jury numbers on paperwork.
Jury members discuss their experiences
The jury's interviews included discussions about Combs' relationship with ex-girlfriend Cassandra (Cassie) Ventura, who sued Combs and testified against him in court, accusing him of abuse and rape. Key evidence presented at trial was security camera footage of Combs assaulting Ventura at the InterContinental Hotel in Los Angeles in 2016.
Los Angeles prosecutors did not directly charge Combs with assault in the altercation. said at the timebecause it exceeded the state's statute of limitations. But when asked if they believed Combs was a violent man, jurors acknowledged the video had an effect.
“Based on that InterContinental video, he may be,” the juror said, but pointed to the defense's argument that it is not against the law to be a bad person and that the video is not directly related to the charges.
“You can say he's a terrible person… but domestic violence was not one of the charges.”
Another juror said he was “confused” by the nature of Ventura and Combs' relationship because he didn't understand why Ventura didn't leave Combs. And both jurors interviewed said they had a hard time believing the testimony of Combs' former assistant Capricorn Clark, who claimed Combs kidnapped her at gunpoint.
Support is available to anyone who has experienced sexual violence. Through this service you can access crisis lines and local support services. Government of Canada website or Canadian Association to Stop Violence Database. If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety or the safety of others, call 911.
