American singer Dawn Richard has filed a lawsuit against rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, alleging he had physically abused women and financially exploited her.
Richard filed the complaint this week in the Southern District of New York, accusing the rapper of assaulting multiple women, including his former girlfriend, Cassandra Ventura.
Richard said she saw Combs physically abuse Ventura on multiple occasions in both private and public settings, including incidents of choking and strangling.
According to her complaint, which also targets Combs’ associates, when Richard encouraged Ventura to leave the relationship, Combs would threaten her with verbal abuse. In May, a horrifying video surfaced of Combs violently assaulting his then-girlfriend in a hotel corridor in 2016. Days later, Combs posted a video on Instagram, apologising for his actions and describing them as “inexcusable.”
Speaking through her attorney, Richard credits Ventura’s bravery for speaking publicly about the abuse she endured.
“Dawn had the option of filing as a Jane Doe but bravely chose to file in her true name. We will not rest until we achieve full and complete justice for Dawn in this case,” Richard’s attorney said in a statement.
Richard is a former contestant on Combs’ MTV show, Making the Band which saw contestants compete to win a spot in his all-female group Danity Kane. Richard went on to become a member of the band, which included Aundrea Fimbres, Aubrey O’Day and D. Woods Singer.
Richard claims that during the filming of the show, she felt threatened and intimidated by the rapper, who would act out aggressively toward her and her bandmates, launching into “frenzied, unpredictable rages.”
According to the complaint, Combs did not permit the women access to basic needs such as adequate food and sleep. She also said that Combs demanded rehearsal schedules that lasted between 36 – 48 hours without rest.
Richard was a member of Comb’s trio, Diddy – Dirty Money’s between 2009-2012.
In her lawsuit, she accused Combs of exploiting her talent as a singer, retaining her earnings for her work, taking her copyrighted works and putting her through “inhumane working conditions” including groping, physical and verbal assault and unlawful imprisonment.
According to Richard, Combs manipulated her by telling her he needed to subject her to these circumstances in order to advance her career.
When she refused to submit to his requests, Richard claims that Combs would take her off songs, deny her parts and switch off her microphone during performances.
Combs’ lawyer Erica Wolff has responded to the lawsuit, saying the rapper was “shocked and disappointed” and described Richard’s accusations as “manufactured” and “false”.
According to Wolff, Combs is “confidently standing on truth and looks forward to proving that in court”.
The lawsuit is the latest among a series of sexual assault allegations made against the 54-year old rapper, who is one of the most influential rap artists in history. Since November 2023, Combs has been hit with multiple civil law suits accusing him of rape and sexual misconduct from the early 90s.
In April this year, federal agents with US Homeland Security raided two of the Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami as he faced a series of sex trafficking, sexual abuse and rape allegations.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via 1800RESPECT.org.au or text 0458 737 732.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au.