Federal Judge Dismisses Most Dawn Richard Claims Against Sean Combs but Allows One to Be Refiled in State Court

A federal judge dismissed singer Dawn Richard's lawsuit against Sean Combs on Friday, ruling that most claims of emotional and physical abuse were filed after the one-year deadline required under New York law. Judge Katherine Polk Failla issued the decision, which was released publicly on Monday.

” Richard may refile one allegation in state court under the gender-motivated violence act, but claims that missed the statute of limitations by more than a decade cannot be refiled.

Arick Fudali, lawyer for Richard, stated the singer will refile her primary claim in state court. “We certainly agree with the Judge that the allegations in this case are execrable,” Fudali said in a statement. ” Lawyers for Combs did not immediately return requests for comment.

When the lawsuit was filed in September 2024, Combs' representatives stated he was “shocked and disappointed” by the suit and questioned why Richard would work with him for so long if the allegations were true. Richard was a singer in Danity Kane and Diddy — Dirty Money from 2004 to 2012. She testified at last year's New York trial where Combs was convicted on prostitution-related charges.

Richard told the jury she saw Combs beat his girlfriend in 2009 and that Combs later threatened her to remain silent about what she witnessed. Casandra “Cassie” Ventura testified for several days at the trial that resulted in a four-year, two-month prison sentence for Combs.

Richard's lawsuit alleged abuse, manipulation and violence during her eight-year association with Combs, including being subjected to drug-fueled parties and witnessing Combs choking Ventura.