Two new lawsuits have been filed against Sean Combs, the rapper and entrepreneur also known as Diddy, alleging sexual assault. This comes after he recently settled a previous case with his former girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie.
Joi Dickerson-Neal’s initial accusation claims that Combs physically assaulted her in 1991, causing significant and lasting harm. She also alleges that she was drugged, sexually assaulted, and subjected to the distribution of “revenge porn” by Combs, also known as “P. Diddy”. A spokesperson for Combs has dismissed these allegations as false and lacking credibility, stating that they are simply an attempt to extort money.
Dickerson-Neal, a college student who had previously been featured in a music video with Diddy, was asked to join him for dinner in New York. She went “reluctantly” and claims that he drugged and sexually assaulted her. Due to being drugged, she was unable to physically or mentally defend herself against Combs. She also states that Combs filmed the encounter and shared it with others, leading to her being hospitalized for depression.
The lawyers representing Dickerson-Neal claimed that she came forward with her accusations after Ventura did the same. Ventura stated that she had experienced numerous assaults over a period of ten years, detailing a pattern of abuse, violence, and sexual exploitation. Combs refuted the claims and the two reached a mutually agreeable settlement out of court the next day.
According to Rolling Stone, a new legal case has been filed by an unidentified woman, referred to as Jane Doe, who accuses Combs and musician Aaron Hall of raping her and a friend in either 1990 or 1991. The alleged assault took place after the women were invited back to Hall’s apartment following a music industry event. Doe claims that Combs used coercion to engage in sexual activity with her, and afterwards, Hall entered the room and forcibly had sex with her. Doe also mentions that her friend, who is not involved in the lawsuit, reported being forced to have sex with both Combs and Hall in a separate room.
According to the lawsuit, Doe claims that Combs came to the location where the two women were staying a few days after the incident and physically attacked her. The lawsuit states that Combs allegedly choked Jane Doe to the extent that she lost consciousness. The woman states that she sought medical assistance afterwards to recover from the traumatic experience.
Combs and Hall have yet to address the lawsuit. The Guardian has reached out to representatives for both for a statement.
Thanks to the Adult Survivors Act in New York state, two lawsuits have been filed. These incidents, which took place in the early 1990s, would have exceeded the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits. However, due to the passing of the act in 2022, a one-year period has been established where these limitations have been lifted.
The deadline for filing lawsuits is approaching on Friday, resulting in a surge of recent legal actions. Several prominent figures in the music industry have been targeted, including producer and mogul Jimmy Iovine, who was accused of sexual misconduct and harassment by an unidentified woman. In response, his legal team expressed surprise and confusion over the allegations. In addition, Guns N’ Roses lead singer Axl Rose was accused of a violent sexual assault against model Sheila Kennedy in 1989, with his lawyers dismissing the claims as untrue.
This week, there were legal actions taken against individuals outside of the music industry, such as New York City mayor Eric Adams, comedian Bill Cosby, actor Jamie Foxx, and fashion photographer Terry Richardson.
Source: theguardian.com
