One week after the video which incriminates him of sexual violence, hip-hop producer and rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, 54, faces a new lawsuit for drugging, sexual assault, battery, infliction of emotional distress and gender-motivated violence, by a woman whom he met more than 20 years ago while they were both in New York City. It is the sixth such accusation.
April Lampros, now 51, filed a claim in the Supreme Court of New York County stating Mr. Combs became “aggressive” and “coercive” after promising her mentorships and new connections in the music industry. They met in the city in 1994, while she was studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She alleges he sexually assaulted her on four occasions in 1995, 1996, and 2000.
The lawsuit details every occasion when she was coerced into some action or when he forced himself on her. She drank alcohol, performed oral sex in public places, took ecstasy and had sex with Kim Porter, Mr. Combs’ then-girlfriend, because of his pressure. He became “angry, threatening and forceful”. Every time, after these encounters, she tried to distance herself, refusing his proposals. But first he bribed her with gifts and promises, then he threatened to “physically harm her and blacklist her across the fashion industry.” And there is more. She got fired from a bar after Ms. Porter discovered she was working there. Years later, after she cut ties with him, she discovered he had recorded them having sex without her knowledge and consent.
Ms. Lampros said in a statement Thursday that she is “confident that justice will prevail and the veil will be removed so no other woman will have to endure what I did.” In the suit Bad Boy Records, Arista Records and its owner, Sony Music Entertainment, are named as respondents.
It is the sixth lawsuit related to sexual violence that Mr. Combs is facing. Last week, CNN published a video which frames him kicking his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura. The tape confirms Ms. Ventura’s lawsuit that was settled in November.
Looking at the bigger picture, a few months ago, the FBI broke into two of his houses, one in Los Angeles and the other in Miami, to carry out investigations on sexual and physical abuse, gang rape and human trafficking allegations.
