Arrest of Diddy brings new attention to Diddy-inspired legislation

With the new arrest of Sean “Diddy” Combs on federal sex trafficking, kidnapping and racketeering charges, one state lawmaker is hoping the new law enforcement action will bring fresh attention to a bill inspired by the notorious rapper.

Assembly Member Brian Cunningham of Brooklyn introduced legislation earlier this year inspired by the release of six-year-old hotel security camera footage that showed Combs beating his then-girlfriend. Combs quickly released an apology for his past behavior against Cassie Ventura, despite having previously denied her allegations of physical and sexual assault. Despite its existence, the video footage that offered substantiation of Ventura’s claim did not come to light until years later, after the statute of limitations for the alleged assault had expired.

Under the proposal that Cunningham introduced shortly after he watched the video, New Yorkers would have a private right of action against someone who bribes another to withhold, alter or destroy criminal evidence. “What we saw was an institution, like the hotel, that willingly suppressed information that would have actually held Sean Combs accountable back in 2016,” Cunningham said. He named the proposal “Cassie’s Law” after Ventura. 

The bill does not yet have a counterpart in the state Senate, but that will soon change. Cunningham said that state Sen. Julia Salazar – chair of her chamber’s Crime, Crime Victims and Corrections Committee – reached out to express her interest in sponsoring the legislation. “Julia texted right away and asked, ‘Who’s the Senate sponsor?’” Cunningham said. “I said, ‘Well, you if you want it.’” Salazar confirmed that she is planning to introduce Cassie’s Law in her chamber and is working with the Assembly member on it.

The legislation was officially introduced on June 20, after the legislative session for the year had ended – although Cunningham submitted the draft bill almost immediately after seeing the surveillance footage. “It happened so late, as you know, in the end of last session that we didn't have a chance to put gas behind it,” Cunningham said. “And I said to the team, ‘Hang tight, because this thing is far from over.’” Upon seeing news of Comb’s arrest last night, Cunnigham – a fan of hip hop who grew up during Diddy’s heyday in the 90s – said it was disappointing to witness the rapper’s continued fall from grace, but expressed hope that it would help propel his legislation. 

With lawmakers home from Albany for the year, Cunningham said that he’s preparing for the next legislative session to reintroduce his bill. That includes meeting with groups that support victims to build up a coalition to back the legislation and setting up listening sessions to hear from impacted people. “This being at the front of people's minds, we're going to take advantage of this moment and ask colleagues to sign on and try to get this over the finish line as quickly as possible in the first part of the new year,” Cunningham said.