Singer Dawn Richard sues Diddy for assault
American singer and former Danity Kane band member Dawn Richard has sued music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs for sexual assault and inhumane treatment.
The singer was signed to Bad Boy Records as a former member of the girl group, which was formed after the hit MTV Series Making The Band.
“Following the group’s official disbandment in 2009, Richard was invited to stay with Bad Boy and join the new group Diddy – Dirty Money alongside Diddy and R&B singer Kalenna. Diddy – Dirty Money released one studio album before splitting in early 2012, after which Richard left Bad Boy to peruse a solo career as an independent artist,” entertainment website The Vogue reports.
Now, Richard alleges in court documents that the record label founder subjected her to verbal abuse and subjected her to work for 48 hours straight.
“Richard further claims that between 2009 and 2011, when she joined Combs in the group Diddy – Dirty Money, Combs sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions by touching her near her breasts and rear while she undressed in a changing room,” The Guardian reports.
Richard also alleges that she witnessed Diddy assaulting other women on multiple occasions, including his ex-girlfriend Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Ventura.
The report adds: “In 2009, she allegedly saw Combs throw Ventura against a wall, choke her and drag her up a flight of stairs at his Los Angeles home. Richard also alleges that she saw Combs throw a “scalding” pan of eggs on the Me & U singer, punch her in the face and attempt to strangle her.”
The singer joins a list of accusers against Combs- he is now facing multiple civil suits accusing him of sex trafficking, sexual abuse and rape.
Surveillance footage of the rapper and hip-hop mogul assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie was released by CNN in May.
Cassie filed a lawsuit in 2023 alleging years of horrific abuse.
“On Sunday May 19 Combs released a video apologising for his actions in the video, calling his behaviour ‘inexcusable’ and saying he ‘takes full responsibility for his actions in the video,’” The Independent reports.
There is also a lawsuit filed by Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, 51, an inmate who claims Combs drugged and sexually assaulted him at a party 30 years ago.
The Independent further lists producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, who worked for Combs in 2022, Joie Dickerson-Neal, who said she had been abused after reluctantly going to dinner with Combs, and more anonymous accusers.
