New lawsuit filed against Diddy for sexually assaulting, drugging model
What's the story
Music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs is facing fresh accusations of drugging and sexually assaulting a model, Crystal McKinney, in his New York recording studio 21 years ago in 2003.
These allegations emerged just days after the release of a 2016 hotel security footage showing Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.
McKinney alleges that the assault by Combs has significantly impacted her career, "denying her a successful and lucrative career in the modeling and film industries."
Lawsuit details
McKinney's encounter with Combs detailed in lawsuit
McKinney—who won MTV's Model Mission contest in 1998—met Combs at a Men's Fashion Week dinner in 2003.
Per the lawsuit, she was invited to his studio where she was given alcohol and a potent strain of marijuana.
"Seeing Plaintiff was very intoxicated...Combs physically led her to the bathroom...and shoved her head down to his crotch...forcing her to give him oral sex."
Following the incident, McKinney claims she lost consciousness and later woke up in the back of a cab.
Legal proceedings
McKinney pursues legal action despite 'statute of limitations'
Despite the allegations being over 20 years old, McKinney is proceeding with her lawsuit under the provisions of New York's Victims of Gender Motivated Violence Act. This law allows for an extended timeline for filing civil suits.
McKinney has expressed a sense of "moral duty" to make her encounter with Combs public, especially in light of numerous similar accusations against him.
She is seeking unspecified damages in her suit.
Representatives for Combs have not yet responded to the lawsuit.
Legal troubles
Combs faces multiple lawsuits, denies all claims
Combs has been the subject of multiple lawsuits but hasn't been formally charged by any jurisdiction. This includes an incident involving video evidence of him assaulting Ventura eight years ago.
Since Ventura filed her suit in November 2023, six other legal actions have been filed accusing Combs of sexual assault and other misconduct.
Despite these allegations, Combs has consistently denied all claims, although he did issue a video apology for the assault on Ventura after the video was made public.
Statement
When Combs's homes were raided as part of 'investigations'
"We are aware of the video allegedly showing Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles," said LA County District Attorney George Gascón last week.
However, Gascón acknowledged that due to California's statute of limitations on assault and domestic violence, there is currently no legal action that can be taken.
Earlier this year, on March 25, FBI and Homeland Security agents raided Combs's homes in LA and Miami as part of an "ongoing investigation."