Federal Judge Dismisses Dawn Richard Lawsuit Against Sean Combs
Judge Katherine Polk Failla ruled that most claims were filed after the statute of limitations expired. One count under New York’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act was dismissed without prejudice.
Nbc NewsA federal judge dismissed singer Dawn Richard’s lawsuit against Sean Combs on Friday, ruling that the claims of assault, groping and imprisonment were filed after the statute of limitations had run out. S. District Court for the Southern District of New York wrote that Combs’s conduct for which Richard sued ceased in 2011 or 2012.
The judge added that Richard did not allege any tortious conduct by Combs in the 12 or 13 years before she filed suit. The ruling said most of the counts would appear to be time-barred. A majority of the suit was dismissed with prejudice.
One count alleging Combs violated the New York Gender-Motivated Violence Act was dismissed without prejudice, allowing it to be refiled. Richard’s legal team stated it plans to continue to fight for Richard until justice is achieved. Attorney Arick Fudali said the allegations are execrable and that the team is encouraged and looks forward to pursuing the primary claim under the gender-motivated violence act in State Court in New York City.
The New York City Council opened a two-year lookback window under the Gender-Motivated Violence Act in 2022. Richard filed her lawsuit in September 2024. Richard was a former member of Danity Kane and a member of Diddy — Dirty Money.
In the suit she alleged that Combs created a hostile work environment, berated employees, attended meetings in his underwear, made unwanted advances and withheld earnings. She described an incident in which Combs allegedly groped her without consent and another in 2010 when she and a bandmate were locked in one of Combs’ vehicles for more than two hours.
Richard also said she witnessed Combs beat his then-girlfriend Casandra Ventura on numerous occasions and that Combs threatened her life when she tried to intervene.
