Sean Combs is sued for sexual assault, battery by ex-Danity Kane member : NPR

Former Danity Kane member Daybreak Richard has filed a lawsuit towards Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging the hip-hop mogul sexually assaulted her, disadvantaged her of meals and sleep and refused to pay her adequately.

Richard additionally says within the lawsuit, filed Tuesday in a New York federal courtroom, that she witnessed Combs bodily abuse his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, on quite a few events, and noticed Combs and his associates partaking in unlawful medication and sexual acts with underage ladies.

“Over the many years following his rise to fame, Mr. Combs’ star-studded, larger-than-life persona overshadowed his vicious mood and pervasive acts of violence directed in direction of these in his internal circle – particularly, ladies,” the grievance says.

Richard claims she was disadvantaged of meals and sleep

Richard turned related to Combs in 2004 after auditioning for season three of his MTV actuality present, Making the Band. Richard alleges throughout auditions he referred to as feminine contestants names, together with “fats,” “ugly” and ““bi***.”

Richard says throughout the manufacturing of the present, and in subsequent years, she and her bandmates have been compelled to rehearse for as much as 48 hours with no relaxation or meals. Richard says she misplaced a considerable quantity of weight and commenced getting rashes from the microphone pack she wore on her again throughout filming.

In a single occasion, Richard was exercising on the seaside and vomited. As a substitute of MTV offering medical help, crews filmed the incident, in line with the grievance.

Richard says she was identified in 2010 with anemia, a low white blood cell rely and arthralgia, or joint stiffness brought on by overuse, sprains and infections reminiscent of rheumatic fever and chickenpox.

“Mr. Combs is shocked and upset by this lawsuit. In an try and rewrite historical past, Daybreak Richard has now manufactured a collection of false claims all within the hopes of attempting to get a pay day — conveniently timed to coincide together with her album launch and press tour,” Combs’ lawyer Erica Wolff mentioned in a press release.

Richard says she was sexually assaulted, witnessed Combs abuse Ventura

Richard mentioned within the grievance that Combs would typically come into her dressing room unannounced. Whereas she was working with a stylist, he would contact her butt and round her breasts to sign the place the clothes ought to fall, in line with the lawsuit.

Combs additionally frequently requested her to strip all the way down to her underwear in rehearsals, smacked Richard on the butt and carried out conferences in solely his underwear, the grievance alleges.

If Richard rebuffed Combs’ advances, he’d retaliate by leaving her off of songs and performances, in line with the grievance.

Danity Kane disbanded in 2009, however Richard continued working with Combs as a member of the newly fashioned Diddy-Soiled Cash, a trio that included her, Combs and singer-songwriter Kalenna Harper.

Richard says she started fearing for her bodily security after she and Harper went to Combs’ dwelling in Los Angeles. Combs got here into the kitchen and commenced berating Ventura for not cooking his eggs appropriately, and proceeded to throw the pan at her and drag her up the steps, the lawsuit claims.

The subsequent day Combs allegedly purchased Richard and Harper flowers and mentioned what they’d witnessed “was only a lover’s argument the place nobody was harm … in the event you say something, there will probably be penalties.”

Ventura filed a lawsuit towards Combs in November of final 12 months and settled out of courtroom. Months later, surveillance video appeared to indicate Combs kicking and dragging Ventura within the corridor of a resort. Ventura alleged Combs paid resort employees $50,000 to safe footage of the incident.

On different events, Richard alleges Combs pulled Ventura out of a van by her neck and pinned her to the bottom; punched her within the face within the lavatory of a celebration; and punched her within the abdomen at a dinner in entrance of a number of high-profile celebrities, together with Interscope Information Founder Jimmy Iovine.

Iovine and Combs had allegedly simply struck a $50 million distribution deal for Combs’ music.

“Even after Mr. Iovine watched Mr. Combs commit a violent assault in entrance of quite a few high-profile witnesses, the Unhealthy Boy-Interscope deal passed off and remained in impact, offering Mr. Combs with immense monetary rewards and enabling him to commit additional acts of violence with out concern of repercussions,” the grievance says.

Interscope Geffen A&M Information is known as as a defendant within the swimsuit.

Richard and Harper each tried to encourage Ventura to depart Combs and have been allegedly met with a litany of threats from him, reminiscent of “you need to die right this moment” and “I finish individuals.”

In accordance with the grievance, Richard additionally noticed the late Kim Porter – Combs’ former girlfriend and the mom of a number of of his youngsters – leaving a recording studio crying, with face accidents.

Richard’s father confronted Combs, grievance says

In December 2010, Diddy-Soiled Cash was getting ready for a efficiency on Saturday Evening Stay. Combs referred to as Richard eager to know her whereabouts. When she and Harper arrived on the studio, he repeatedly chided the ladies and referred to as them names, drawing the eye of individuals within the foyer, in line with the grievance.

Richard allegedly requested Combs to cease, and he drew a fist as if he have been going to punch her. Combs’ bodyguard stepped in and escorted Richard out of the studio right into a automobile. Harper went after her, and the 2 have been locked within the automobile for a number of hours.

Richard had her telephone together with her and referred to as her father. He arrived in New York from Baltimore just a few hours later and threatened to name the police on Combs, who allegedly informed him to “take into consideration your loved ones” and “take into consideration your daughter’s profession,” the grievance says.

After the SNL efficiency, Combs allegedly informed Richard, “You don’t name your dad until you’re within the hospital.”

Richard says she is owed cash for performances and publishing

After Danity Kane broke up, Richard’s songs have been nonetheless being recorded by different artists on Combs’ Unhealthy Boy Information. Richard was promised royalties and license charges, which she by no means acquired, she alleges.

Diddy-Soiled Cash discovered success, with tens of millions of single gross sales. Richard estimates she is owed about $1.2 million in unpaid wages and royalties, greater than $350,000 for U.S. tour performances and at the least $1.5 million for her promotion of Ciroc, a vodka model Combs partnered with in 2007.

Richard additionally alleges she was not paid for her involvement in a deliberate reboot for Making the Band in 2020, through which she was to look as a choose. The present was in limbo as a result of coronavirus pandemic.

“If Ms. Richard had such a detrimental expertise with Making the Band and Danity Kane, she wouldn’t have chosen to proceed working immediately with Mr. Combs for Soiled Cash, nor would she have returned for the Making the Band reboot in 2020 or agreed to be featured on The Love Album final 12 months,” Wolff mentioned.

She added, “It’s unlucky that Ms. Richard has solid their 20-year friendship apart to attempt to get cash from him, however Mr. Combs is confidently standing on reality and appears ahead to proving that in courtroom.”

Richard is asking for a jury trial; compensatory damages, reminiscent of misplaced wages, royalties, publishing and touring; compensation for extreme emotional misery; civil penalties; punitive damages and lawyer’s charges.