Key facts
- A federal judge dismissed most of singer Dawn Richard's lawsuit against Sean 'Diddy' Combs.
- The dismissal was due to most claims being filed outside the required one-year statute of limitations.
- One allegation can be refiled in state court under New York's gender-motivated violence act.
- Richard previously testified against Combs in a trial where he was convicted of prostitution-related charges.
- Combs' representatives expressed shock and disappointment when the lawsuit was initially filed.
A federal judge has dismissed the majority of singer Dawn Richard's lawsuit against Sean 'Diddy' Combs, citing that most claims of emotional and physical abuse, including allegations of groping, were filed beyond the one-year statute of limitations under New York law. Judge Katherine Polk Failla, in a ruling released Monday, stated that while the court's decision is independent of the factual allegations, which she described as 'execrable' if true, most of Richard's claims missed the filing deadline by over a decade.
Richard's lawyer, Arick Fudali, confirmed that the singer will refile her primary claim in state court under the gender-motivated violence act, agreeing with the judge's assessment of the allegations as 'execrable.' Fudali expressed intent to continue fighting for justice for Richard.
Combs' representatives had previously stated they were shocked and disappointed by the lawsuit when it was filed in September 2024, questioning the timing given Richard's prior work with him. Richard, who was part of Combs' record label groups Danity Kane and Diddy — Dirty Money from 2004 to 2012, had testified at a trial last year where Combs was convicted on prostitution-related charges but acquitted of more serious sex trafficking charges. She had told the jury she witnessed Combs assault his girlfriend in 2009 and that Combs later threatened her to remain silent.
The lawsuit detailed allegations of abuse, manipulation, and violence during Richard's eight-year association with Combs, including instances of him using disparaging language towards women, depriving her and bandmates of food and sleep, and reacting angrily to requests for him to clothe himself during meetings. It also alleged Richard witnessed drug-fueled parties with sexual acts performed on incapacitated women and saw Combs choke and strangle his girlfriend, Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, who also testified at Combs' trial.