Bryana "Bana" Bongolan, a fashion designer, sues Sean "Diddy" Combs for molesting and hanging her over Casandra "Cassie" Ventura's balcony in September 2016.
Bongolan claims she saw Combs' mistreatment of Ventura and faced "terror and abuse" from him during her career with the producer. The troubled music mogul owes the fashion designer $10 million.
The lady claims Combs dangled her over his ex Ventura's 17th-floor balcony.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Bongolan filed a 17-page lawsuit against Combs, who is awaiting trial after pleading not guilty and being denied bail, this week in Los Angeles for sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, and other claims.
The fashion designer wants $10 million from the 55-year-old music tycoon for mental suffering, citing the balcony incident and others. Combs' lawyer told Rolling Stone that Bongolan was wrong.
"Anyone has the right to file a lawsuit, regardless of the evidence they may or may not have. Since last year, Bongolan has expressed an intention to sue Combs and has sought legal representation to pursue her claims," the rep said. " Combs firmly denies these serious allegations and remains confident they will ultimately be proven baseless."
A Combs spokesperson did not reply to PEOPLE's request for comment.
Bongolan alleges that Combs approached her on the balcony after loudly entering Ventura's bedroom in the early hours of September 2016, when she and her then-girlfriend were staying over at the singer's place.
"He grabbed her, turned her back to his chest, and molested her by groping her breasts as she yelled to be left alone," the lawsuit claims. After Bongolan began to struggle, Combs moved his hands from her breasts to her armpits and placed her on the handrail of the 17-story balcony while repeatedly yelling, "Do you know what the fuck you did!" per Geo.
Bongolan, who was 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighed 100 lbs., "attempted to resist him, throwing her weight back in a struggle not to be thrown to the ground and what would likely be her death," but Combs "easily overpowered her again," the lawsuit stated.
Ventura allegedly shouted at Combs to stop and told him Bongolan's then-girlfriend was in the apartment after Ventura emerged.
Combs then pulled Bongolan back over the balcony but did not release her and instead "slammed Ms. Bongolan onto the balcony's patio furniture, including a table," the lawsuit claims. Bongolan denied knowing what Combs suspects she did.
Also in the lawsuit, Bongolan claims she observed both "disturbing signs of an abusive relationship" and actual incidents of abuse between Ventura and Combs before the balcony incident, including one in which the music mogul threw a "large kitchen knife" at his then-girlfriend, "who, acting in self-defense, threw one back at him."
Following Combs' invitation to work with her on a clothing line and record cover art, Bongolan says that she was subjected to "terror and abuse" during their relationship.
This "closer working relationship not only did not lead to the career jump off for which she had hoped, but instead forced Plaintiff to experience Combs' violence and abuse firsthand in professional settings as well," with the producer "directing his rage" at Bongolan, the lawsuit alleges.
The designer described a trip when Combs "became aggressive" and "forcibly fed" her ecstasy and a picture shoot where he cornered her and said, "I'm the motherf------ devil. You have no idea what I could do to you. I could kill you."
Combs' treatment of Ventura and her knowing that Kid Cudi's car exploded after he dated her while they were apart made Bongolan take his threat seriously. The complaint claims the designer heard Bad Boy Records founder "skinned a rival's dog."
She said the September 2016 balcony incident proved that Bongolan had been "correct to fear" Combs and led her to believe that he was finally "making good on his threats."
According to the lawsuit, Bongolan "has suffered, and continues to suffer, injuries and damages including physical injury, and mental and emotional distress" from Combs' actions.
Combs is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn awaiting trial. Last month, his third bail denial since September occurred.
He was indicted for sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution transportation in September. The accusation focuses on "freak offs," grandiose sex displays involving male sex workers and coerced women.
Internet users expressed indignation and incredulity regarding the allegations on social media.
"How many more victims need to come forward before Sean Combs is held accountable? Disgusting!" a netizen said.
"Bana's bravery in speaking out is commendable. Let's hope justice is finally served," another person wrote.
"This is yet another dark chapter in Diddy's history. When will the music industry stop enabling abusers?" a third netizen said.
"These allegations are shocking. I hope the courts uncover the truth and ensure justice is done," a fourth chimed in.
"If even half of these claims are true, it's horrifying. The power dynamics in the entertainment world need scrutiny," a fifth netizen commented.
"Diddy's empire is crumbling, and it's about time people start believing the survivors," another individual said.
Business Times has reached out to Sean "Diddy" Combs' camp for comments.
