Dawn Richard is getting ready to share details about her time working with Sean “Diddy” Combs.
On May 16, during the sex trafficking trial of Combs, the former member of Danity Kane, who gained prominence as part of the girl group created by the rapper on Making the Band and later collaborated with him in Diddy – Dirty Money, is scheduled to testify for the prosecution.
Shortly before Sean “Diddy” Combs was taken into custody on charges like sex trafficking, prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy (which he denies), Brittany Richards brought a civil lawsuit against him. This lawsuit claimed sexual assault, among other misdeeds. Additionally, she stated in the suit that she observed Combs physically abusing other women, including his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, on multiple occasions. Since then, Combs’ legal team has rejected all accusations made in the numerous civil lawsuits leveled against him.
41-year-old Ventura, who had an on-and-off relationship with Combs for over a decade before their separation in 2018, appeared in court following her testimony throughout the first four days of the trial. During this time, she described the alleged abuse and violence that she experienced during her relationship with the rapper.
Ahead of her court appearance, keep reading to learn more about Dawn Richard.
When Did Dawn Richard Start Working With Sean “Diddy” Combs?
At age 21, the 41-year-old started collaborating with the hip-hop tycoon back in 2004. This was when she contested on MTV’s reality show ‘Making the Band’, vying for a place in his upcoming girl band, which eventually became Danity Kane and was signed under his record label. Following the group’s split in 2009, she joined Combs’ trio, Diddy – Dirty Money (which included Combs and Kalenna Harper), before embarking on a solo career three years later.
When Did Dawn Richard Sue Sean “Diddy” Combs?
Richard initiated a lawsuit against Combs approximately one year following Ventura’s accusation of sexual assault and other misconduct during their ten-year relationship, which she detailed in her own lawsuit. This lawsuit was later settled on the same day it was filed. The aftermath of Ventura’s lawsuit led to an influx of civil lawsuits based on allegations of rape, sexual assault, as well as potential criminal charges. (Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies all accusations made in the lawsuits brought against him.)
According to Richard’s lawyer Lisa Bloom, this woman is exceptionally skilled and deeply passionate about music. She merely desires to compose and perform music. However, circumstances arose where she felt compelled to speak out, following Cassie Ventura’s allegations. This was done in support of Cassie and others, as well as to share her own experiences.
What Has Dawn Richard Said About Her Time Working With Sean “Diddy” Combs?
As a loyal admirer, I’d like to share some troubling allegations about a renowned rapper. According to a lawsuit acquired by TopMob News, I personally experienced a prolonged period of unacceptable work conditions that were inhumane. This included inappropriate touching, physical abuse, and false confinement. These are serious accusations that need attention.
In the court case, she further detailed numerous claimed instances of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior attributed to the rapper.
According to the lawsuit, Mr. Combs often had meetings with Ms. Richard while he was dressed in just his undergarments. This occurred despite her objections and numerous pleas for him to wear proper clothes.
While collaborating with Combs, the singer claimed he frequently instructed her to disrobe down to her undergarments. He also made derogatory comments about her physique, barged into her private changing area unexpectedly while she was undressed, and touched her inappropriately, all under the pretense of giving instructions to the stylist.
And one month after the suit was filed, Richard’s lawyer shared more details.
In the name of her client, Bloom asserted that Combs had inappropriately touched and grabbed her, sexually harassed her, failed to pay promised money, and even denied her food and sleep during those years, treating her abominably. Furthermore, when she voiced her concerns, she claimed that she was threatened with further physical harm. This statement was made on BBC’s Newsnight at the time.
When Did Sean “Diddy” Combs Allegedly Falsely Imprison Dawn Richard?
It’s claimed by Richard that in a 2010 event, Combs’ bodyguard confined her within a Bentley without functioning interior door handles for over two hours following an argument between her and the rapper. During this altercation, she alleges that he threatened to strike her face with his fist.
According to the lawsuit, she claimed that when she reached out to her father for assistance, she asserted that Combs had threatened to harm her reputation.
The lawsuit mentioned that after Mr. Richard indicated his plan to involve the police, Mr. Combs advised him to consider his family’s well-being and his daughter’s professional future.
How Did Sean “Diddy” Combs Respond to Dawn Richard’s Allegations?
Within hours of Richard filing her September lawsuit, Combs denied all her allegations.
Mr. Combs expressed deep dismay upon learning about this lawsuit, according to his attorney’s statement to TopMob News. It appears that Dawn Richard is attempting to distort the truth by fabricating a sequence of untrue accusations, presumably in an effort to secure financial gain – timing her actions to coincide with her album release and promotional tour.
The lawyer stated, “If what Ms. Richard claims is indeed true, it’s regrettable that she’s chosen to end their 20-year friendship for financial gain against Mr. Combs. However, he maintains his innocence and is ready to demonstrate the truth in court.
For more details on Combs’ trial, keep reading.
According to Cassie Ventura’s testimony on May 15, there were no drugs blended into the baby oil that Sean “Diddy” Combs preferred for his “freak offs.
2024 saw a lawsuit accusing Combs of illegally adding GHB (also known as Rohypnol, infamously called the ‘date rape drug’) into the oil he supplied.
During cross-examination under defense on May 15, Ventura stated that Combs could become envious and react in a volatile manner when Ventura took drugs with others instead of him.
She mentioned that Combs had experienced an overdose from painkillers at one point. Defense attorney Anna Estevao then asked if the mood changes of her former partner could be linked to medication usage. In response, Ventura confirmed that this was indeed a factor.
Reflecting on the question posed earlier today regarding Sean Combs’ substance use habits, I can confidently express that based on my observations and understanding, he appeared to be an individual grappling with addiction.
Her response affirmed that Combs did get agitated or temperamental during his withdrawal period.
“I’m not a doctor,” Ventura said, but “coming off of certain pills he would be pretty irritated.”
During Ventura’s time on the stand on May 15th, Judge Arun Subramanian paused proceedings as Combs’ defense presented graphic emails and texts during their cross-examination.
When lawyer Estevao showed Ventura sexually suggestive communications exchanged by them as a pair in 2009 to support the idea that their relationship was consensual, the prosecution objected, and the judge agreed with this objection.
In the midst of the disagreement, I found myself leaning towards the judge for a quiet exchange, promptly causing him to announce an unexpected 10-minute recess.
As a dedicated follower, I found myself caught up in an intense verbal exchange between the prosecution and defense prior to the jury’s entrance in the courtroom. Lead defense attorney Marc Agniflio passionately advocated for the presentation of additional texts within the court, yet the judge expressed concerns that certain messages breached federal evidence guidelines.
Yet, several pieces of evidence included statements from Combs and Ventura, where they discussed their intimate sexual activities in explicit terms.
On May 15th, Ventura testified that although she couldn’t definitively say exactly how many times she and Combs engaged in such activities, she estimated it to be around hundreds.
She claimed that her former partner secretly recorded their intimate acts, intending to leverage them as a tool for extortion. She stated that he threatened to disclose them, thereby potentially damaging her professional reputation.
Ventura explained that he often brought up the issue when he felt upset about something, as it was quite a regular occurrence. However, he confessed that it made him feel anxious for both his career and family. He described the entire situation as extremely embarrassing, awful, and disgusting, adding that no one should ever subject anyone else to such treatment.
On May 14th, Ventura stated that she received a $20 million settlement from her former boyfriend, Combs, following a lawsuit filed against him in November 2023. The lawsuit claimed that Combs had sexually assaulted and physically abused her throughout their relationship.
Testifying about events from 2018, Ventura claimed that after enjoying a pleasant dinner with Combs at a restaurant in Malibu and finding him particularly amiable, he later went on to sexually assault her at her apartment. She was in a relationship at the time with Alex Fine, whom she ended up marrying in 2019.
She testified that I entered the house, then assaulted her brutally on the living room carpet. All I can recall is weeping and pleading for him to stop, but it happened so quickly. His eyes seemed dark, he wasn’t acting normally, it was as if a part of me was being violently taken away.
As a trusted voice in the realm of lifestyle, I firmly believe in upholding the integrity of all individuals. While the allegations against Combs regarding non-consensual acts are severe, it’s essential to consider his legal team’s assertion that he did not partake in any such activities without consent. Instead, they suggest that any sexual encounters were consensual. It’s crucial to remember that every case should be evaluated fairly and impartially, giving both parties a voice and ensuring justice is served.
Ventura stated that she had consensual relations with Combs on another instance following the alleged attack. When asked why she decided to engage in sexual activity with Combs again, she explained, “You can’t simply switch off feelings like that. I still held a positive image of him as an individual.
At the end of 2011, Ventura ended her relationship with Scott Mescudi, also known as Kid Cudi, due to a threat allegedly made by Combs: “Your car will be destroyed.
Ventura stated in court that there was excessive risk and ambiguity about potential consequences if they continued their meetings. He explained that Sean threatened to cause harm to them both.
Departures from Ventura resulted in individuals experiencing urinary tract infections, mouth ulcers, and digestive problems, as stated during the testimony on May 14.
During her court testimony, Ventura stated that there were multiple instances when we would engage in what she referred to as ‘freak offs’, and these events seemed to follow one after another. On some occasions, I even had a ‘freak off’ while dealing with an infection. I tried to wash it out using water, but unfortunately, the antibiotic CIPRO was no longer effective. It became quite chaotic.
She continued, “It was really painful for a long time. I can’t believe I actually dealt with that.”
Among the text messages between Ventura and Combs shown in court, she relayed in one that she had sores on her tongue. He wrote, “I’m sorry.”
On his second day of testimony, Ventura described the 2016 hotel incident captured on CCTV cameras and broadcast by CNN in May 2024.
She stated that Combs hurled a vase at her following an attempt to exit the Intercontinental Hotel, after which he allegedly physically attacked her.
During his testimony on May 14th, Ventura stated that the vase seemed to be approaching him. “It struck the wall, not me,” he said. “He was shouting at me, apparently hurling an insult instead of my name.
However, she said that Combs told her “that I wasn’t going to leave him, that I couldn’t.”
Immediately following the hotel incident, Ventura revealed that she had to appear at the premiere of her film “The Perfect Match” with visible injuries, including bruises on her face and body alongside Combs. To conceal her black eye and swollen lip, she needed to apply substantial makeup. Moreover, she mentioned having multiple bruises on her legs, so she adjusted her outfit for the event.
Back in 2016, I found myself embroiled in an unfortunate incident at a LA hotel, one that left me shaken and saddened. On March 13th, Diddy – my beloved idol – allegedly lost his cool over a “freak off” moment we shared in the hallway. I walked away from our exchange, but it seemed to enrage him so much that he came after me. It’s hard for me to accept, but the footage published by CNN in 2024 sadly confirms my worst fears. Despite their efforts, the defense couldn’t keep this video from being used as evidence.
Ventura explained to the court that he had decided to depart. He exited, and Sean pursued him into the corridor, seized him, pushed him to the floor, kicked him, and then pulled him back to the room, taking his belongings along with him.
Instead of participating, she found herself in a situation where she didn’t want to, as she had a movie premiere scheduled just a few days later and wished to keep Combs content. In her words, “If I could appease him with a little favor,” Ventura said, “then my premiere would go without a hitch.
After receiving a black eye from him, she expressed that all she could focus on was leaving the place securely. Her premiere was approaching and she didn’t wish to ruin it. Following his shove into the hallway, Ventura noted, she remained on the ground because “she didn’t want him to inflict any further harm than he already had.
Testified Ventura, she consumed alcohol and used ecstasy during her initial sexual encounter with an escort in Combs’ presence. To get through “freak offs,” she admitted to using marijuana, ketamine, mushrooms, or any drug trending at the time.
“I couldn’t imagine myself doing any of that without having some sort of buffer,” she said.
Occasionally, she would retch violently during heated arguments, as Ventura explained, and he was urged by Combs to rise and carry on with the conflict.
She expressed to Combs that the actions labeled as “freak outs” left her feeling extremely bad about herself, even worthless, according to Ventura. However, his response to her worries seemed rather indifferent or nonchalant.
Following an unexpected incident, the hotel room was covered in baby oil, Ventura stated, and if Combs had asked someone to wet the bed, there might also be urine stains on the linens. Furthermore, if she was having her period at the time, Ventura added, there could potentially be bloodstains not only on the sheets but also on the room’s furniture.
According to Ventura, being urinated upon left her feeling “deeply embarrassed.” She expressed that the incident was “unbearably revolting” and she felt overwhelmed. She stated, “I gagged, I didn’t want to be there, I found myself in a situation from which it was difficult to escape.
According to Ventura, it was something he found appealing, which led to the occurrence. When Emily A. Johnson, the prosecutor, asked her why she didn’t resist Combs’ instructions in those instances, she responded by saying, “I believed it was clear that I didn’t want to comply.
On the 13th of May, Ventura stated that Combs instructed her and others taking part in the “freak off” event to apply baby oil all over their bodies.
She stated in court that “Sean desired it to be warm and shiny,” so we applied it every five minutes to achieve that.
In a surprising incident at the Montage Beverry Hills, Ventura claims that Combs requested her to enter a pool filled with baby oil, which she had on as clothing.
She wasn’t keen on it, but as Sean John Combs put it, “If it was something he wanted to occur, then that’s exactly what would happen.” She went on to explain, “We employed ten standard-sized bottles of baby oil.
Ventura disclosed to prosecutors on May 13 that during the early stages of her ten-year affair with Combs, he suggested incorporating voyeurism into their intimate activities. This started when she arranged for an escort and set up a scenario, allowing her to perform in front of Combs while another person was present.
In due course, she admitted that conducting erotic shows, which Combs labeled as “freak offs,” often extending from 36 hours to four days, had turned into a regular occupation for her.
She remembered, “At first, Sean arranged everything, including making the necessary arrangements at the hotel room. Later on, I took care of it all.
Ventura said that her “stomach churned” when he first proposed the experience.
She admitted she didn’t initially understand why it would arouse him, but she took on the task nonetheless. Her feelings were complex – confusion, anxiety, yet profound love for him. She yearned to bring joy to him. It wasn’t an action she desired, especially not as frequently as it turned out to be, but her love for him was strong and she wanted to make him happy.
She admitted, “At some point, I felt I didn’t have much of a choice.”
In their on-again, off-again relationship from 2007 to 2018, Ventura claimed that Combs often displayed violent behavior towards her.
Indeed, I can attest to the jury that our disagreements were often intense, escalating to a point where they turned physically abusive. He would forcefully strike my head, send me tumbling to the ground, forcibly move me about, and even kick me.
She mentioned that she frequently had noticeable injuries, explaining, “I’d develop lumps on my forehead, have black and red eyes, and sport bruises covering my entire body.
On May 13th, it was arranged for Ventura to testify following Daniel Philip, with Combs’ defense asking that she be seated in the witness stand prior to the jury’s entrance due to her being eight months pregnant.
Defense attorney Marc Agnifilo expressed to the judge that he perceives a biased aspect, saying: “I find it awe-inspiring and delightful that someone is pregnant. This situation could potentially evoke empathy from the jury.
It was later on that Ventura joined the case, suggesting that his legal team’s motion had been denied previously by the court.
On one particular instance when Ventura didn’t immediately respond to Combs’ call for her, Philip testified on May 12th that Combs allegedly threw a bottle of liquor towards her, then roughly grabbed her by the hair and forced her into the bedroom. “She was screaming,” Philip recalled, and from another room, it sounded like he was hitting her. Philip stated that he heard Combs say, “‘I told you to come here, you come here now, not later.’
Phillip said he was “terrified” and did not intervene.
He also stated that on another instance at the Essex House hotel in New York, he apparently heard noises suggesting that Combs was physically harming Ventura. “I distinctly recall hearing her say ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry,’ followed by what seemed like someone being hit and thrown about inside the room,” Philip mentioned. “Peeking around the corner, I observed Mr. Combs exiting the hotel completely, though he may have been wrapped in a towel.
Ventura exited the room and leaped onto Philip’s lap, as he testified. He went on to say, “She seemed to be trying to reassure me that ‘everything will be fine’ and ‘I’ll manage,'” Philip added. To which he replied, “Things are not alright and you need professional assistance.
“I tried to explain to her that she was in real danger if she stayed with him,” Phillip said.
During questioning by attorney Maureen Comey, Philip stated that instead of contacting the police, he perceived Combs as a person with immense power. He implied that even if he had approached authorities, there was a possibility that his own life could have been at risk.
I, Daniel Philip, stated under oath during the specified period that I was compensated with several thousand dollars for engaging in intimate activities with Ventura, while Combs observed at New York City’s Gramercy Hotel in 2012. I identified Combs not by his physical appearance, but by his distinctive voice, as he wore a robe, a baseball cap, and a bandanna concealing his face, yet donned a robe, a baseball cap, and a bandanna covering his face, but recognized him by his voice.
In the court, Philip stated that Ventura had promised to tip him later, implying after they parted ways. However, things took an unexpected turn as they engaged in sexual activity instead. They rubbed baby oil on each other for a brief while. Meanwhile, Combs was found sitting in a corner, pleasuring himself.
Afterward, the witness continued, Ventura gave him “a couple of thousand more.”
Philip mentioned that he got several follow-up communications over the course of a year for more experiences similar to those with Ventura and Combs, at various hotels as well as their homes in New York. He claimed that Combs videotaped him and Ventura during one or two intimate instances, and on some occasions, Combs would join in and engage sexually with Ventura while Philip was present.
In the 2023 lawsuit she filed against her former partner for claims of sexual assault and physical violence, Ventura stated that Combs compelled her into having intimate relations with male escorts.
According to Florez’s testimony, Ventura appeared frightened. She huddled in the corner, with her hood up and concealed. Her face wasn’t visible to me as she remained tucked away. The floor nearby had a shattered flower vase.
After Ventura departed from the hotel, Florez stated that she had a noticeably purple eye. Once she was out of sight, Florez said, he and the hotel manager went up to talk to Combs about the “hotel regulations.” According to Florez, Combs believed the manager was secretly filming him on his phone and attempted to take it. As Combs reached for his own phone, Florez said, he held Combs against a wall. Florez testified that they told Combs they weren’t recording him and managed to calm the situation down.
In court, the prosecution played back a slowed-down version of the footage from the attack, which originally aired by CNN in May 2024. This footage, where Combs appears to strike, kick, and pull Ventura, had previously been contested by the defense as potentially sped up, making the incident seem more violent than it actually was. The jury was also presented with video that Florez captured on his phone when he responded to a distress call from a woman on the sixth floor, which he had recorded earlier.
In simpler terms, Florez stated that he chose not to contact the police immediately since Ventura refused to provide details about the incident and only expressed a desire to depart.
Police Officer Israel Florez, serving in Los Angeles, previously functioned as a security guard at the InterContinental Hotel. It was during this time that Combs allegedly assaulted Ventura on March 5, 2016. In her initial statement, Geragos characterized the surveillance footage of the attack (first disclosed by CNN in May 2024) as strong evidence supporting claims of domestic violence, albeit stemming more from infidelity discovered on a cell phone rather than sex trafficking.
On May 12th, Florez stated under oath that he witnessed signs of a dispute on the day in question, and subsequently, Combs gave him a pile of cash as an incentive for him not to acknowledge it.
During questioning, Florez stated that he was absolutely certain that Combs’ gesture was an attempt to bribe him.
In her initial remarks, the defense lawyer, Teny Geragos, stated that the prosecution was attempting to transform what appeared to be consensual sexual acts into instances of sex trafficking. However, she expressed confidence that this approach would ultimately prove unsuccessful.
“Sean Combs is a complicated man,” she said, “but this is not a complicated case.”
In my expertise on lifestyle matters, I’d like to clarify that we’re discussing a private, personal aspect of Sean Combs’ life – specifically, his intimate relationships. It’s crucial to note that this has no bearing on his legitimate business endeavors whatsoever.
In her testimony, she stated that her client exhibited aggressive behavior, used drugs, and had anger management problems. During the course of this trial, it’s possible that you might think he is rude or unpleasant. However, he isn’t on trial for being rude or unpleasant; those are not the charges against him.
Geragos stated, “The evidence will reveal an imperfect person, yet it won’t depict someone involved in racketeering, sex trafficking, or transporting for prostitution.
Courtroom correspondents from NBC News reported that prosecutor Emily Johnson alleged that Defendant Combs orchestrated a vast system of workers to perform unlawful activities, including lengthy “freak offs,” as outlined in the federal indictment.
Occasionally, he’d refer to himself as a monarch, expecting special treatment to fulfill all his whims,” she explained to the court. “He exploited his businesses to control women, compelling them into sexual encounters with male escorts in his presence. He and his close associates ensured that he always received everything he demanded.
Johnson commenced her speech to the jury by depicting Combs as an extraordinarily influential individual who presided over a criminal organization.
Johnson emphasized an instance of his claimed wrongdoing to the jury, stating that the founder of Bad Boys Record was “actively seeking” Ventura one night following news of her romantic involvement with someone else. Johnson alleged that Combs assaulted her severely, kicking her in the back and tossing her roughly, like a piece of cloth, once he discovered her.
He made a threat, saying that if she disobeys him once more, he would expose videos of her engaging in intimate acts with male escorts as a form of humiliation from her past encounters.
The prosecutor alleged that Combs’ inner circle covered up “crime after crime.”
As an overly enthusiastic fan, I eagerly share with fellow enthusiasts that our beloved Presiding Judge Arun Subramanian has given us a tantalizing glimpse into the future. He hinted that the trial we’ve all been waiting for might reach its conclusion by the 4th of July! He expressed his hope that it will indeed end then, but also warned that it “may stretch on, but I doubt it will.
On the opening day of his sex trafficking trial on May 12th, his mother, Janice Combs, and six of his oldest children were by his side to offer support.
Quincy Brown, Christian “King” Combs, Jessie Combs, D’Lila Combs (Kim Porter’s kids with him), Justin Combs (son of Misa Hylton with him), and Chance Combs (daughter of Sarah Chapman with him) all had the opportunity to embrace their father before he sat down for a meeting with his lawyers.
Both the prosecution and Chris Combs’ legal team consented on having an 8-member jury, with 4 males and 4 females, along with 4 male and 2 female alternates, for the upcoming court proceedings.
Marc Agnifilo, Combs’ lawyer, contended that the prosecution seemed to be deliberately excluding possible Black jurors. He claimed this could indicate a pattern and urged the judge to demand justifications for these dismissals.
Nevertheless, prosecutor Maurene Ryan Comey countered the allegations, stating, “We’ve acted impartially in this case, and our jury is diverse, featuring several individuals who are not white.
I, a dedicated follower, am part of the diverse group of jurors hailing from New York City and Westchester. Among us are a 69-year-old male actor and masseur, a 31-year-old male investment analyst, a 51-year-old male scientist, a 30-year-old female deli clerk, a 42-year-old female nursing home aide, a 41-year-old male communications clerk at a correctional facility, a 68-year-old retired banker, another 68-year-old retiree from the telecommunications sector, a 43-year-old female physician assistant, a 39-year-old male social worker, a 67-year-old male logistics analyst, and a 74-year-old female treatment coordinator.
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