NEW YORK (AP) — A singer who found fame in groups created by Sean “Diddy” Combs has filed a lawsuit against him, alleging that she suffered years of psychological and physical abuse, including unwanted touching, while he helped her launch her music career.
In her lawsuit, which was filed on Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan, Dawn Richard joined others in sharing stories about how Combs created a toxic environment characterized by a volatile temper, violent threats, and a culture filled with sexual and drug-related excess. These accounts detail the pressures faced by those trying to meet his demands in the music industry.
Richard, who gained wider recognition after participating in the MTV reality series “Making the Band,” is seeking an unspecified amount of damages and claims millions of dollars in potential earnings were denied to her. She argues that the abusive treatment resulted in serious financial loss, physical injuries, emotional pain, and lasting psychological distress.
In response to the lawsuit, Combs’ representatives expressed their surprise and disappointment. They accused Richard of trying to “rewrite history” by filing what they claim are fabricated allegations aimed at securing a financial payout, particularly since the lawsuit coincided with her album release and promotional tour.
The representatives noted that if Richard had truly experienced such severe negativity, she wouldn’t have continued collaborating with Combs for so long, including her return for a “Making the Band” revival in 2020 and her participation in last year’s “The Love Album.”
“It’s sad that Ms. Richard has chosen to ignore their 20-year friendship in pursuit of financial gain, but Mr. Combs believes in the truth and is eager to prove this in court,” they stated.
According to the lawsuit, Richard claims to have witnessed Combs frequently mistreat his girlfriend, leading to her own fears for her safety as she worked on music. She describes intense pressures, often going days without food or sleep, during her time as a member of the girl group Danity Kane and later in Combs’ Diddy — Dirty Money group.
Richard detailed instances in the lawsuit where Combs would explode in anger, throwing phones, laptops, food, and studio equipment. She also alleges that she saw him choke and strangle his long-time girlfriend, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, during the years between 2004 and 2011.
In May, a 2016 security video was aired by CNN, showing Combs physically assaulting Cassie, which aligned with her own allegations made in a lawsuit filed and settled shortly after, raising significant scrutiny on Combs, including a federal investigation.
Following the release of the video, Combs publicly apologized on social media, admitting his past behavior was “inexcusable.”
In her lawsuit, Richard expresses solidarity with other victims who are bravely sharing their traumatic experiences in the music industry as part of the #MeToo movement.
She alleges that Combs once threatened her by asking, “You want to die today?” and claimed he could “end people.” The lawsuit states he withheld her earnings, stole her creative work, and subjected her to groping, assault, and even locked her inside a car for extended periods.
From 2009 to 2011, while Richard participated in recordings, rehearsals, and performances, she claims that Combs frequently pressured her to undress and made derogatory comments about her appearance. He supposedly called her names like “lazy, fat, ugly, and skinny” in front of various associates, including producers and security personnel.
The lawsuit alleges that Combs would barge into Richard’s changing area while she was undressing, groping her inappropriately. During a performance trip to Glasgow, Scotland, in October 2010, she claims he made lewd advances towards her.
Richard has also named others in Combs’ circle and associated music companies as defendants, asserting that these individuals and organizations should be held responsible due to their presence during many of the incidents of abuse that were carried out in public settings.
The Associated Press typically does not identify individuals alleging sexual abuse unless they have publicly shared their stories, as Richard and Cassie have.
