Danity Kane’s Dawn Richard Accuses Diddy of Sexual Assault

Danity Kane's Dawn Richard Accuses Diddy of Sexual Assault

As a longtime fan of Diddy, I must confess that this latest news about him is truly disheartening and shocking to me. I remember his rise to fame, the energy he brought to the music industry, and his seemingly unstoppable success story. But now, it seems like there’s a darker side to his legacy that I never could have imagined.


A new accuser has filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging sexual misconduct and other forms of abuse – this time it’s a former member of Danity Kane.

According to a lawsuit filed on September 10 by singer Dawn Richard and reported by TopMob News, she claims that music mogul Sean Combs subjected her to years of harsh working conditions involving inappropriate touching, assault, and unlawful confinement. TopMob News has attempted to reach Combs’ legal representative for a statement but has yet to receive a response.

41-years-old, she started collaborating with the hip-hop tycoon in 2004 when she auditioned for his new girl band on MTV’s reality series ‘Making the Band’. The group eventually became known as Danity Kane and was signed to his record company. In 2009, she joined Combs’ musical collective, Diddy – Dirty Money.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase that statement like this: In a legal claim, the singer known as “Ride for You” details multiple instances of alleged sexual misconduct and impropriety by the 54-year-old rapper. The lawsuit alleges that during meetings with a certain individual, Mr. Combs would often appear only in his underwear, disregarding her objections and persistent requests for him to dress properly.

In her statement, the singer claims that during her collaboration with Diddy’s group, Combs frequently demanded that she remove most of her clothes, made disparaging comments about her physique, entered her private changing area unexpectedly while she was bare, and inappropriately touched her under the pretense of instructing the stylist.

As a devoted follower, I’d like to share a point made by Richard, suggesting that back in 2010, Combs proposed to cover the cost of a breast augmentation surgery for me as a heartfelt Christmas present. However, he allegedly crossed a boundary by inappropriately touching my chest without my consent.

Richard claims she experienced sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and a hostile work environment, which included witnessing instances of “sexual exploitation and inappropriate behavior.” According to her lawsuit, during studio sessions, Combs would frequently host gatherings where she saw him and his associates engaging in kissing, groping, and inappropriate touching of young women.

Richard’s contention about being unjustly detained arises from an alleged event in 2010. She claimed that Combs’ bodyguard confined her in a Bentley for over two hours without any interior door handles following a disagreement between her and the rapper. According to her, during this incident, he reportedly swung his fist towards her face.

Danity Kane's Dawn Richard Accuses Diddy of Sexual Assault

Richard mentioned that she called her father for assistance, and upon his arrival several hours later, one of Combs’ associates instructed the security guard to let her go. Subsequently, her father engaged in a confrontation with the founder of Bad Boy Records.

According to the lawsuit, it was stated that Ms. Richard’s father had planned to contact the authorities. At this point, Mr. Combs advised him to consider his family and his daughter’s career.

In her claim, Richard is asking for both compensatory and penal damages, along with additional expenses, due to the post-traumatic stress, anxiety, emotional distress, and financial losses she experienced, allegedly caused by Combs’ actions.

Danity Kane's Dawn Richard Accuses Diddy of Sexual Assault

Among several individuals, Richard is one who has filed a lawsuit against Combs, accusing him of sexual assault and other inappropriate behavior within the past year. However, he has refuted all charges that have been made against him in previous legal cases.

In November 2023, Cassie Ventura, his former girlfriend, lodged a lawsuit against the rapper for alleged sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and battery. The case was settled just one day later. Combs’ lawyer stated to TopMob News that this settlement does not affect his client’s continued denial of these accusations.

In May of last year, footage depicting the rap tycoon allegedly physically attacking Cassie in a hotel corridor back in 2016 surfaced online. Subsequently, Combs published a video on Instagram two days later, where he admitted his actions were unjustifiable and expressed regret, without directly addressing his former partner.

Danity Kane's Dawn Richard Accuses Diddy of Sexual Assault

In her court case, Richard claims that Combs physically attacked Cassie on numerous instances, with these incidents occurring in front of others. She stated she provided emotional support to Cassie and advised her to separate from Combs. Subsequently, it was discovered by him that they had been communicating, which led to him growing angry and threatening Richard’s life.

The lawsuit mentions that it wasn’t until Ms. Ventura showed courage in speaking up, that Ms. Richard understood her own long-term pain was connected to the chronic abuse by Mr. Combs, which she had come to accept as routine over the years.

Danity Kane's Dawn Richard Accuses Diddy of Sexual Assault

Richard initiated his legal action on the day following a Michigan judge’s mandate that Diddy (Combs) should compensate Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, who claimed that the rapper had drugged and sexually assaulted him in 1997, according to court records examined by TopMob News. The default decision was made because Diddy missed a virtual hearing regarding this case.

51-year-old Cardello-Smith is presently incarcerated on twelve convictions for criminal sexual activity and two convictions for kidnapping, which originate from separate incidents, as court documents indicate.

Lawyer Marc Agnifilo challenged the verdict, asserting to TopMob News that the individual in question is a repeat offender with a criminal history. Specifically, he has been convicted for 14 crimes related to sexual assault and kidnapping spanning over a period of 26 years.

The lawyer went on to say, “Now, his resume boasts of defrauding the court while in prison; a name that’s unfamiliar to Mr. Combs and one he’s never received any legal action from. Mr. Combs eagerly anticipates the immediate dismissal of this judgment.

TopMob News has reached out to lawyers for Cardello-Smith for comment, but has not heard back.

Read More

2024-09-11 23:49