Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of 2003 sexual assault
Associated Press Reporter
A former model has accused Sean 'Diddy' Combs of sexually assaulting her at his New York City recording studio in 2003 – the latest in a series of allegations against the embattled hip-hop mogul.
Crystal McKinney said she was a successful 22-year-old model when she met Combs at a restaurant during Men’s Fashion Week in Manhattan.
Combs invited her to his recording studio later that night, according to the lawsuit filed in New York City.
The complaint alleges that Ms McKinney arrived to find Combs drinking and smoking joints with several other men.
She smoked some marijuana, which she “later came to understand” was laced with a narcotic or intoxicating substance, the lawsuit says.
She felt as though she was floating and Combs led her to the bathroom, where the sexual assault allegedly took place.
According to the complaint, Combs then led her back to the studio and she lost consciousness, later awakening in a taxi and realising she had been sexually assaulted.
Combs’ representatives did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Ms McKinney has done.
The lawsuit was filed days after CNN aired a security video that shows Combs attacking singer Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016.
Combs on Sunday released a video admitting he attacked Cassie in the hotel hallway, saying he was “truly sorry” and his actions were “inexcusable”.
Combs is not in danger of being criminally prosecuted for the beating because of the statute of limitations.
A lawsuit filed by Cassie in November alleging beatings and abuse was settled a day after it was filed.
But it spurred intense scrutiny of Combs, with several more lawsuits filed in the following months, along with a federal criminal sex-trafficking investigation that led authorities to raid Combs’ mansions in Los Angeles and Miami.
The claim on Tuesday was filed under a New York City law that allows accusers to file civil litigation during a limited window, even if the events allegedly happened long ago.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.