Pop star Dawn Richard waited years to tell her story about how Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs allegedly abused her while she was a member of the girl group Danity Kane.
In the latest episode of DailyMail.com’s podcast ‘The Trial of Diddy’Richard’s attorney, Lisa Bloom, said the singer decided to come forward and file a lawsuit against Combs after watching the viral video of the music producer attacking ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016 .
“She is an accomplished woman and it’s all about the music,” Bloom said of Richard. ‘All she wants is to make music and become a musician. And yet she found herself in the position — after Cassie Ventura came forward — to say, “I need to come forward too, in support of Cassie, and in support of others, to tell my own story.”
Richard claims in her lawsuit that she suffered economic damages, physical injuries, pain and suffering, and serious psychological and emotional distress during her years with the Bad Boy mogul.
Ex-Danity Kane member Dawn Richard (right) is ready to tell her story of alleged abuse by her former boss Sean “Diddy” Combs, her attorney Lisa Bloom said
Lisa Bloom has represented sexual assault victims against numerous high-profile figures, including Jeffrey Epstein.
Combs was indicted in September on charges including sex trafficking, months after video emerged of him violently attacking Ventura.
In her lawsuit, Richard claims that not only did she see her former boss assault Ventura, but also Diddy grab and grope her bare buttocks and breasts while she was in her dressing room.
She also said that Combs demanded that she strip down to her underwear, while also calling her “lazy, fat, ugly and skinny” in front of other people, including other producers, bodyguards and his friends.
The singer also alleged that Combs made sexual advances toward her during an October 2010 trip to perform in Glasgow, Scotland.
Richard accused Combs of manipulating her for years with promises that he would boost her music career.
Instead, the Bad Boy mogul allegedly didn’t pay Richard for her work, and she wouldn’t have been able to eat or sleep because of the grueling work the producer allegedly forced on her.
Richard appeared on the MTV reality series Making the tape in 2005
Combs’ has denied the allegations.
The producer’s reps said Richard was “writing and trying to rewrite history” and “made up a series of false claims, all in the hope of getting a payday – conveniently timed to coincide with her album release and press tour.”
Combs’ drive for perfection was highlighted in the MTV reality series Making the tape in 2005, where Richard became a member of Danity Kane, along with Aubrey O’Day, D. Woods, Shannon Bex and Aundrea Fimbres.
Combs famously fired all the women from the band except Richard. He then formed Diddy Dirty Money with Richard and Kelenna Harper in 2010, but the group split two years later.
Combs with Danity Kane members. Ex-member Abrey O’Day (pictured next to Diddy) has also spoken out about the Combs’ infamous temper
Bloom said Combs is still continuing his threat tactics and pointed to prosecutors’ claims that the Bad Boy mogul had recently tried to contact Harper, one of the witnesses in Richard’s case.
Prosecutors said they found evidence that Combs repeatedly tried to contact Harper — who was referred to in court documents as “Witness 2” — during a search of Combs’ cell at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Prosecutors said notes found in his cell included a “strong inference” that Combs paid Harper after she posted a statement on Instagram.
Bloom said she was surprised that Combs would contact one of the witnesses in her client’s case against him.
Singers Dawn Richard (left), Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs (center) and Kalenna Harper (right) of the band Diddy Dirty Money accept the Best Group award on stage during the BET Awards on June 26, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Federal prosecutors have alleged that Diddy “tampered” with witnesses, including Harper
Prosecutors also alleged that Diddy obtained other inmates’ phone codes and used them to influence witnesses.
“I was shocked,” Bloom said on the “Trial of Diddy” podcast.
She added: “I think he probably got desperate. … He’s used to telling people what to do. He is used to being in control. So he reached out [Harper]You know, it takes a psychologist to explain that kind of thinking. But yeah, it was quite shocking.”
Lisa Bloom said she was surprised Diddy tried to reach witnesses. Combs’ attorneys have denied the allegations
Diddy Dirty Money broke up in 2012. Richard said she owes money that the Bad Boy mogul never paid her
Attorneys for Combs have fired back at prosecutors, accusing the government of committing a “blatant, intentional and prejudicial violation of attorney’s privilege” after papers were seized from his jail cell.
Bloom said she looks forward to ousting Combs.
“One of the biggest moments will be when I get to take Sean Combs’ deposition, which will probably take place in jail, and I’m very happy to take his deposition in jail,” the lawyer said. ‘I’ve been to prison many times for different things, so it doesn’t bother me or scare me. And we’ll see what he says about Dawn, and we’ll see what his story is.
“We’ll see if it matches the documents and information and other witnesses. We’ll see what he has to say himself.’