According to reports from USA Today and People, Dawn Richard, a former member of Danity Kane and frequent collaborator with Sean "Diddy" Combs, has filed a lawsuit against the music mogul, accusing him of sexual assault, battery, and other serious allegations spanning nearly a decade.
Dawn Richard's lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs alleges a pattern of abuse and exploitation spanning from 2004 to 2011. Richard claims Combs subjected her to verbal abuse, sexual harassment, and assault during her time on "Making the Band" and as part of Danity Kane and Diddy-Dirty Money12. The lawsuit details incidents of Combs allegedly groping Richard without consent, forcing her to rehearse for extreme periods without rest, and locking her in a car for hours23. Richard also accuses Combs of financial exploitation, claiming he owes her over $1.5 million in unpaid wages and royalties1. Additionally, she alleges witnessing Combs physically abusing other women, including his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura23. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a jury trial2.
In November 2023, singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura filed a federal lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs, accusing him of rape, physical abuse, and sex trafficking during their relationship from 2007 to 201812. The lawsuit alleged that Combs exerted complete control over Ventura's personal and professional life, subjected her to frequent beatings, forced her to engage in sexual acts with sex workers, and raped her in 2018 when she tried to leave him2. Ventura claimed she required intensive medical and psychological care to recover from the trauma2. The lawsuit was settled just one day after it was filed, with both parties releasing statements about resolving the matter amicably1. However, Combs' attorney emphasized that the settlement was not an admission of wrongdoing1.
Sean "Diddy" Combs has vehemently denied all allegations of sexual assault and misconduct made against him in recent lawsuits. In a statement released in December 2023, Combs declared, "Enough is enough. I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth."1 However, after surveillance footage from 2016 surfaced showing him physically assaulting his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, Combs issued a public apology via Instagram in May 2024. In the video, he admitted, "My behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions," and revealed he had sought professional help and therapy.2 Despite this apology, Combs continues to face multiple civil lawsuits and a federal investigation into alleged sex trafficking, with his lawyer describing the recent raids on his properties as a "gross overuse of military-level force" and a "witch hunt."3
