Content warning: The following article discusses sexual assault and rape.
Earlier in November, The New York Times reported that Diddy’s ex-girlfriend Cassie had filed a sex trafficking and sexual assault claim against the producer, rapper and businessperson. However, Diddy and Cassie soon announced a settlement, with the sum of the settlement remaining undisclosed. Now, Pitchfork reports that two more women are taking legal action against Diddy, real name Sean Combs.
One woman, identified under the anonymous title Jane Doe, has alleged Diddy raped her, while the other, Joi Dickerson-Neal, has made allegations of sex trafficking and revenge porn. The two legal claims are being pursued separately, and both refer to alleged incidents in the early 1990s. The suits were filed just prior to the expiry of New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which, for one-year, waived the time limit on civil legal claims related to sexual assault.
The two new lawsuits against Diddy pertain to alleged incidents in the early 1990s
Rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs accused of rape in new lawsuit https://t.co/R96YoZcZKm
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 24, 2023
Dickerson-Neal’s lawsuit centres on allegations of assault, battery, infliction of emotional distress, sex trafficking, violence, and the dissemination of revenge porn. “For 32 years, the only people I have been able to confide in were my close friends and therapists,” Dickerson-Neal told Pitchfork. “I’m feeling as if the darkness has been lifted and I can freely move forward in achieving my full potential.”
Dickerson-Neal met Diddy when they appeared in a music video together. She was a psychology student at Syracuse University at the time. The pair went on a date, during which Dickerson-Neal claims she was drugged by Diddy. Later, she alleges, Combs filmed himself sexually assaulting her and then showed the footage to a group of her male friends.
According to the legal claim, the incident caused Dickerson-Neal “overwhelming feelings of humiliation, embarrassment, violation, and constant apprehension.” Diddy’s companies, Bad Boy Entertainment and Combs Entertainment LLC, are also named as defendants.
Jane Doe’s lawsuit targets a long list of defendants in addition to Combs, including singer Aaron Hall, MCA Music Entertainment Group, Geffen Records and a number of anonymous males and females. Hall was signed to MCA Records at the time; the label was later acquired by the Universal Music Group.
Doe alleges that Diddy and Hall invited her to a party after an MCA event. She went to Hall’s apartment, where Diddy allegedly coerced her into sex. Soon after, according to the language of the legal claim, Hall “pinned her down” and raped her. Doe has also accused Diddy of coming to her accomodation a couple of days later, worried the woman he was dating would be made aware of what had happened between them, and choked Doe until she passed out.
A spokesperson for Diddy has rebutted all of the allegations made by Dickerson-Neal and Doe. “These are fabricated claims falsely alleging misconduct from over 30 years ago and filed at the last minute. This is nothing but a money grab,” said the spokesperson in a statement. “Because of Mr. Combs’ fame and success, he is an easy target for anonymous accusers who lie without conscience or consequence for financial benefit.”
If you need assistance, 1800 RESPECT – the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service — can be reached on 1800 737 732.
For help or information regarding mental health, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
Further Reading
Kesha Omits Diddy’s Name from ‘TiK ToK’ Lyrics Amid Cassie Abuse Lawsuit
Diddy Wants To “Uncancel” Travis Scott, Morgan Wallen At Billboard Music Awards
