In September, the actress from Danity Kane filed a complaint against Combs for sexual abuse, saying that she watched him assault Cassie Ventura. The case charges Combs with sexual assault.
Dawn Richard, a member of two of Sean "Diddy" Combs' groups, was "absolutely terrified" of the music mogul, her attorney Lisa Bloom says.
Richard filed a charge of sexual abuse against Combs. Additionally, she stated that she witnessed him abusing Cassie, who was his girlfriend at the time.
For the crimes of sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution, Combs is now being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. On Friday, November 22, his legal team submitted their third bail request, and a decision is expected to be received the following week.
Bloom told BBC's Newsnight on Thursday, November 21, that Richard claimed Combs "groped and grabbed her body parts, sexually assaulted her, that he not only failed to pay her money that was promised to her, but actually prevented her from eating and sleeping during those years just treated her terribly."
In addition, the council stated that Richard witnessed what is being called "severe acts of violence" committed by Combs against Cassie and other women.
Combs denies Richard's assertions. His attorney, Erica Wolff, told PEOPLE Magazine he was "shocked and disappointed by the lawsuit," claiming Richard "manufactured a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a pay day."
During the time that Richard attempted to confront Combs about it, "she was threatened with more physical violence," Bloom added. "She said Diddy Combs had a vicious temper and she was absolutely terrified of him ... it was just a really violent, tumultuous atmosphere."
Bloom disclosed to the publication that she is representing a second individual who is saying that they engaged in sexual activities with sex workers during Combs' "freak-off" parties.
"Many other people already have come forward with the allegations that people were drugged, that they were forced into sexual activity in order to have business deals with Diddy Combs," the attorney continued.
Combs' reality show “Making the Band,” which aired on MTV in 2005, established Danity Kane, which included Richard. She and Combs, together with Kalenna Harper, established Diddy Dirty Money in 2010. After another two years, the band broke up.
Wolff refuted witness manipulation allegations against Harper, saying her statement was "two witnesses with differing recalls of comparable events.”
Combs' legal team has been vigorously contesting the allegations. Wolff characterized the case as a fraud, asserting that witnesses provided inconsistent descriptions of the events. Notwithstanding these refutations, increasing charges have ignited fervent public discourse.
“If these allegations are true, it’s horrifying. Dawn deserves justice," one netizen wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Diddy’s parties always sounded shady. These claims don’t surprise me," another X user stated.
“Cassie and Dawn speaking up takes courage. Time to hold abusers accountable," a third source shared. “Innocent until proven guilty. Let the courts decide, not the internet," another netizen added.
“Too many stories are coming out. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire," a fifth X user penned. “If even half of this is true, the music industry needs a serious reckoning," another source responded.
Business Times has reached out to Sean "Diddy" Combs, Dawn Richard and Cassie Ventura for comments.
