CNN
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Daybreak Richard, a former member of Danity Kane, a musical group shaped by Sean “Diddy” Combs as a part of the MTV actuality collection “Making the Band,” has accused the producer of sexual battery, sexual harassment and false imprisonment, amongst different allegations, in a criticism filed Tuesday in New York federal court docket.
The submitting additional alleges that Richard witnessed Combs “brutally beat” his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, together with cases the place Richard claims to have seen Combs choke, strangle, slap, punch and strike Enterprise with objects.
“On many events, Ms. Richard tried to intervene, providing Ms. Ventura help and encouragement to go away Mr. Combs,” the declare states. “Every time, Mr. Combs realized of her efforts to assist Ms. Ventura and have become enraged, threatening Ms. Richard’s life with statements corresponding to ‘you need to die right now,’ ‘I make n***** go lacking’ and ‘I finish individuals.’”
Erica Wolff, Combs’ lawyer, denied the allegations in a press release to CNN and accused Richard of getting a monetary motive.
“It’s unlucky that Ms. Richard has solid their 20-year friendship apart to try to get cash from him, however Mr. Combs is confidently standing on fact and appears ahead to proving that in court docket,” the assertion mentioned, partly.
Combs was seen earlier this yr in a 2016 video published by CNN grabbing, shoving, dragging and kicking Ventura. Combs had beforehand denied Ventura’s allegations of assault, which have been a part of a now-settled federal lawsuit filed by Ventura in November 2023.
Two days after the video was revealed, Combs apologized for his actions seen within the video.
Ventura’s lawyer declined to touch upon the alleged cases of violence described in Richard’s lawsuit.
In her criticism, Richard additionally alleges that then-Interscope Information chief Jimmy Iovine witnessed one occasion of Combs’ abusive conduct towards Ventura and that the corporate was conscious that Combs “was harmful round females” and “prepared to overtly batter a feminine in public.”
Interscope is listed among the many defendants within the swimsuit, in addition to Dangerous Boy Leisure and Combs Enterprises. Iovine just isn’t named as a defendant.
CNN has reached out to representatives for Iovine and Interscope Information, which Iovine co-founded however left in 2014.
Richard appeared in two seasons of “Making the Band” and one season of the spin-off “Making His Band,” each of which aired on MTV within the mid- and late-2000s. She would return to the franchise in 2020 as a decide on a reboot of the collection.
Danity Kane launched two albums in 2006 and 2008, respectively. They disbanded in 2009.
Most of Richard’s claims stem from her expertise making the TV present and her time as a part of the musical teams.
The lawsuit alleges Combs “frequently referred to the 5 ladies as ‘bitches’ and ‘hoes’ and denigrated their bodily appearances” and through Richard’s tenure within the bands “required her to stay at his numerous residences and studios” whereas “depriving” her and her bandmates of “fundamental wants corresponding to sufficient meals and sleep.”
The criticism additionally particulars an alleged occasion in 2008 the place Combs performed a enterprise assembly with Richard at his Miami house “whereas dressed solely in his underwear.” When Richard requested Combs to placed on garments “he refused stating, ‘That is my f**king home.’”
Combs shaped a musical trio referred to as Diddy – Soiled Cash with Richard and artist Kalenna Harper in 2009. That group disbanded in 2012.
Whereas working with Combs on this capability, the declare alleges Richard witnessed a number of cases of Combs committing acts of bodily violence towards Ventura. Following one in all these cases, wherein Richard claims to have witnessed Combs throwing a sizzling pan of eggs at Ventura, Combs dismissed it as a “lover’s argument” and threatened Richard, saying “in case you say something, there shall be penalties,” the lawsuit alleges.
“Mr. Combs additional warned that ‘individuals find yourself lacking,’” the declare states. “Being threatened whereas locked for over 20 minutes in a small, enclosed area with Mr. Combs after observing Mr. Combs violently assault Ms. Ventura the day earlier than, Ms. Richard was terrified and genuinely believed that Mr. Combs would comply with by way of on his threats.”
Richard was current at a number of events wherein she allegedly witnessed Combs and his company “violating incapacitated younger ladies,” in accordance with the criticism.
Moreover, the claims states, between 2009 and 2011, Combs repeatedly ordered Richard to strip right down to her underwear and made remarks about her physique, would enter her altering room whereas she was undressed and grope her naked buttocks and chest space close to her breasts.
Richard additionally alleges that she was left in a locked automotive with no warmth or entry to her private belongings for over two hours after an argument with Combs in December 2010, previous to an look on “Saturday Night time Reside.”
Richard labored with Combs once more in 2020, as a decide on a reboot of “Making the Band,” and in summer season 2023, as a composer on one of many songs featured on Combs’ album, “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” for which, the criticism claims, Richard didn’t obtain any compensation.
Richard is searching for damages and a trial by jury.
The criticism is amongst ten made towards Combs since final November and the ninth general accusing him of sexual assault, one in all which is Ventura’s now-settled declare.
One other lawsuit accused his son Christian Combs of sexual assault, and Sean Combs is accused of aiding and abetting. Combs and his son have denied the allegations towards them.
His attorneys have issued motions to dismiss most of the claims towards him.
The lawsuits Combs is dealing with are civil circumstances, however CNN reported in Could that federal investigators have been ready to make the most of a grand jury, in accordance with sources conversant in the probe, signaling that the US Justice Division is transferring towards doubtlessly searching for an indictment of Combs.
Whereas the investigation is ongoing, there is no such thing as a indication whether or not Combs shall be indicted.