The Howard University Board of Trustees voted unanimously Friday to revoke the honorary degree awarded to Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2014, saying he is “no longer worthy of holding the institution’s highest honor.”
Rapper and music mogul Sean Combs, right, accompanied by Howard University Interim President Wayne Frederick, arrives at the graduation ceremony at Howard University in Washington, Saturday, May 10, 2014. Combs was one of five people to receive honorary degrees as pioneers in their fields. . The university also honored KeynoteUSA anchor Wolf Blitzer, transplant surgeon Clive Callender, jazz legend Benny Golson and PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi. (KeynoteUSA Photo/José Luis Magaña)(KeynoteUSA/José Luis Magaña)
Rapper and music mogul Sean Combs, right, accompanied by Howard University Interim President Wayne Frederick, arrives at the graduation ceremony at Howard University in Washington, Saturday, May 10, 2014. Combs was one of five people to receive honorary degrees as pioneers in their fields. . The university also honored KeynoteUSA anchor Wolf Blitzer, transplant surgeon Clive Callender, jazz legend Benny Golson and PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi. (KeynoteUSA Photo/José Luis Magaña)(KeynoteUSA/José Luis Magaña)
(KeynoteUSA)— The Howard University Board of Trustees voted unanimously Friday to revoke the honorary degree awarded to Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2014, saying he is “no longer worthy of holding the institution’s highest honor.”
The university will also return Combs’ $1 million contribution and terminate a $1 million commitment agreement from the Sean Combs Foundation, the Board said in a statement Friday.
“Sir. Combs’ behavior, as captured in a recently released video, is so fundamentally inconsistent with the core values and beliefs of Howard University that he is no longer considered worthy of holding the institution’s highest honor.” , the Board said in the statement.
KeynoteUSA released surveillance video from 2016 showing Combs physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, at the now-shuttered InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.
The Washington, D.C.-based historically black college or university said it will dissolve its scholarship program in Combs’ name.
“The University is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence,” the board added, linking in the statement to the school’s “Interpersonal Violence Prevention” webpage.
Howard University’s announcement comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding once-beloved music mogul Bad Boy Records. Combs has been named in eight lawsuits since November, when Ventura accused him in a now-settled claim of years of abuse during her relationship and of raping her in 2018, KeynoteUSA previously reported.
Subsequent lawsuits have accused Combs of sexual misconduct and other illegal activities. He has not responded to all of the allegations against him, but has denied the claims in many civil lawsuits.
The investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched a federal investigation into Combs and the sex trafficking allegations. Investigators searched his homes in Los Angeles and Miami on March 25 as part of the investigation. No federal criminal charges have been filed against Combs.
Surveillance video released by KeynoteUSA could become evidence in federal investigation.
Meanwhile, investigators are preparing to bring Combs’ accusers before a federal grand jury in New York, sources familiar with the investigation told KeynoteUSA.
KeynoteUSA has learned that allegations of money laundering and illegal drugs are also being investigated at the federal level.
Combs recently sold a majority stake in the television network and media company Revolt, which he founded in 2013, the company said.
KeynoteUSA’s Taylor Romine contributed to this report.
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