Dawn Richard of Danity Kane accuses Diddy of sexual abuse in a lawsuit

Danity Kane's Dawn Richard filed a lawsuit Sean “Diddy” Combs to manipulate, terrorize and sexually abuse them.

In court documents obtained by We weekly On Wednesday, September 11, Richard, 41, also claimed that she saw Diddy, 54, physically abusing his ex-girlfriend Cassie. After attending Diddy's 2004 MTV show The founding of the bandRichard accused the producer of promising her support for her singing career if she gave in to his demands.

Diddy allegedly abused Richard by forcing her to rehearse for 48 hours straight without sleep, resulting in dehydration and fatigue that caused rashes. Richard claimed that Diddy had previously demanded that she come to his home in Miami, where he showed up wearing only his underwear.

When she told him to get dressed, Diddy allegedly yelled at her, “This is my f***ing house!” Diddy also allegedly touched Richard inappropriately after barging into her dressing room at his recording studio. The legal documents also mention an alleged incident in which Diddy locked Richard in a car for two hours while she screamed for help.

Richard accused Diddy of hurting other people in front of her, including his deceased girlfriend Kim Porter in 2005. Years later, Richard reportedly witnessed Diddy throwing 38-year-old Cassie against a wall and then strangling her in his Los Angeles home.

“I asked you for my shit,” Diddy allegedly told Cassie during the incident. “I can't stand you, bitch, you never do it right!” Richard claimed she and Kalenna Harper tried to convince Cassie to end their relationship, which Diddy found out at this point.

“You bitches don't interfere in my relationship. Don't tell my bitch. [Cassie] what to do,” Richard claimed Diddy told them. “Just make money and shut up. I'm destroying artists, I'm putting careers on hold. You could be missed. You bitches wanna die today.”

The lawsuit comes four months after Diddy publicly apologized after video footage from 2016 showed him attacking Cassie. The former couple dated on and off between 2007 and 2018. Nearly five years after their split, Cassie sued Diddy in November 2023, alleging sexual assault and physical abuse over a 10-year period.

Diddy denied all allegations before settling the case a day later. In a statement to UsDiddy's lawyer pointed out that the settlement was not an admission of guilt by Diddy regarding Cassie's allegations.

Related: Everything Diddy lost after assault allegations

Some companies appear to be distancing themselves from Sean “Diddy” Combs as the rapper continues to face allegations of sexual harassment. In recent months, several women have come forward to voice allegations of misconduct by the music mogul. One person who filed suit was his ex-girlfriend Cassie. (The exes were together on and off since 2007) […]

Following Cassie's lawsuit, several other people came forward with allegations of misconduct against Diddy. He has denied all allegations and requested that an anonymous lawsuit be dismissed. (According to Detroit's Metro timesDiddy was ordered on Monday, September 9, to pay a $100 million default judgment from a civil suit filed by a Michigan inmate who accused the music mogul of sexual assault. Diddy's lawyer has since sharply criticized the ruling, saying his client never received a lawsuit.)

Footage obtained from CNN In May, Diddy was seen grabbing Cassie by the neck, dragging her around and kicking her.

“The shocking video only further confirmed Mr. Combs’ disturbing and predatory behavior,” said Cassie’s attorney Douglas H. Wigdor told Us at the time. “Words cannot express the courage and strength Ms. Ventura showed in speaking out to bring this to light.”

Diddy apologized for his behavior in an Instagram video, saying, “It's hard to reflect on the darkest times in your life, sometimes you have to. I was devastated. I mean, I hit rock bottom, but I'm not making any excuses. My behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I'm disgusted.”

Related: Eyebrow-raising quotes about Diddy's alleged behavior over the years

Years before two of Sean “Diddy” Combs' homes were raided in connection with a federal sex trafficking investigation, there were talks about what went on inside the rapper's apartments. After the raid made headlines in March 2024, a clip resurfaced in which Usher describes his experiences with Diddy as a teenager. “I had the chance to […]

He continued, “I sought professional help. I went to therapy, to rehab. I had to ask God for his grace and mercy. I am so sorry, but I have resolved to be a better person every day. I am not asking for forgiveness. I am truly sorry.”

Earlier this year, Diddy's homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by the Department of Homeland Security as part of a federal sex trafficking investigation. He was neither charged nor arrested following the raids.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).