A federal judge has thrown out the majority of Dawn Richard‘s lawsuit against Sean Combs, ruling that most of her claims were filed too late. Judge Katherine Polk Failla of Federal District Court in Manhattan ruled that the alleged conduct which Richard said took place during her time as a member of Danity Kane and Diddy — Dirty Money, groups assembled by Combs that ended in 2011 or 2012, making the statute of limitations on most claims an insurmountable obstacle by the time she filed in 2024.
Richard‘s lawsuit alleged a working environment in which Combs would demand her to strip to her underwear, grope her, throw objects and food, deprive her of sleep, and at times withhold payment for her work. She also alleged that he smacked her, once cupped her breasts without consent, and made comments suggesting he would pay for a breast augmentation. The dismissed claims included assault, battery, employment discrimination, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and a copyright claim over a song.
However, one avenue remains open, as the judge left the door for Richard to refile a claim in state court under New York City’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Law, which created a two-year window allowing plaintiffs to pursue older allegations, although, that provision is currently under scrutiny by the New York Court of Appeals. Meanwhile, Richard’s attorney Arick Fudali said in a statement: “We intend to continue to fight for Dawn until justice is achieved.”
Combs‘s spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer called Richard‘s claims “purely fictional” and said the camp was pleased with the outcome. Combs is currently imprisoned after being convicted on prostitution-related charges, having been acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. While his lawyers are appealing, Combs faces dozens of additional civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and abuse, all of which he denies.
It’s worth noting that, Richard testified at Combs’ criminal trial about witnessing his physical abuse of Cassie Ventura, who served as the star witness in the case.
Source: NY Times.
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With £1m what would you do: I would do my part to provide opportunities to the less fortunate. Then do my best to change the world in my own way through sports and talent building.
