New Lawsuit Alleges Sexual Assault by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

Sean “Diddy” Combs is facing allegations of sexual assault in a new lawsuit filed by April Lampros on Thursday. Lampros claims she first met him in 1994 while she was a student at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology.

The complaint, filed in New York and obtained by CNN, alleges that Combs committed four instances of sexual assault between the mid 1990s and the early 2000s. The lawsuit also accuses the rap mogul of battery, assault, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and violation of the victims of gender-motivated violence protection law. As of now, the filing has not been reviewed by the county clerk.

Lampros expressed her confidence that justice will prevail and hopes that no other woman will have to go through what she experienced. She shared this statement with CNN on Thursday.

CNN has reached out to a representative for Combs for their comment.

Combs is facing his eighth lawsuit since November, with the seventh directly accusing him of sexual assault. One of the lawsuits, filed by his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, has been settled. Another lawsuit alleges that his son Christian Combs committed sexual assault, with Sean Combs being accused of aiding and abetting.

According to the lawsuit, Lampros had expressed her desire to work in the fashion industry to Combs, who promised to mentor her, connect her with music and fashion industry professionals, and assist her in finding employment. However, the lawsuit contends that what began as kind gestures from Mr. Combs soon turned into an aggressive, coercive, and abusive relationship centered around sex.

In 1995, during their first meeting, Lampros accuses Combs of pressuring her to drink at a bar in New York City. Later, at a hotel, she alleges that he forced himself on top of her while she was on the bed, despite her pleas for him to stop. The next morning, she woke up feeling naked, in pain, and confused.

In another incident, near his Manhattan apartment, Combs reportedly grabbed Lampros in a parking garage and demanded that she perform oral sex on him, with a parking attendant as a witness, according to the lawsuit.

Ms. Lampros was shocked, morally drained, embarrassed, and in physical pain when Mr. Combs forcefully pulled her down to her knees and yanked her hair.

Following this incident, Lampros tried to walk away from Combs to create some distance, but he quickly changed his demeanor to one of anger, threats, and force. According to the lawsuit, Combs had adopted a menacing persona that left Lampros feeling afraid of him.

One night in 1996, it is alleged that Combs pressured Lampros and one of his ex-girlfriends to take ecstasy at his apartment. Following this, he reportedly insisted that they engage in sexual activity. When Lampros refused, Combs threatened to jeopardize her job, according to the lawsuit. Subsequently, the lawsuit claims that Combs proceeded to masturbate and sexually assault Lampros.

The lawsuit states that Lampros felt a mix of disgust, shame, and embarrassment after the incident, finding it hard to believe what had transpired.

In 1998, Lampros ended her relationship with Combs. Several years later, between the end of 2000 and the beginning of 2001, they crossed paths again. It was at this time that Combs allegedly grabbed Lampros forcefully, kissing and touching her against her will, as stated in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit asserts that as a consequence of this incident, Lampros has endured and continues to experience various forms of harm. These include physical injury, severe emotional distress, humiliation, and anxiety.

Lampros recently learned that Combs had secretly recorded their intimate moments without her consent and shared it with others, as stated in the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, Lampros alleges that Combs had a violent temper and would threaten her if she didn't comply with his wishes, interacted with other men, or ignored his calls. Additionally, she was forbidden from discussing her relationship with Combs with anyone.

Lampros feared that if she didn't comply with him, he would crush her aspirations of building a career in his field. According to the lawsuit, Mr. Combs would even threaten to ruin her chances in the industry if she dared to go against him in any way. All of Lampros' hopes and hard work were under his control.

The lawsuit was brought forth by Lampros' lawyer Tyrone Blackburn, who is also representing other individuals who have taken legal action against Combs. This includes Rodney Jones and Grace O'Marcaigh, who accused Christian Combs, his son, of assault.

Defendants mentioned in the lawsuit are Bad Boy Records, Arista Records, and Sony Music Entertainment. It is stated in the lawsuit that Lampros worked as an intern for Arista Records, which is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and the former parent company of Diddy's Bad Boy Records, during at least one of the alleged assaults.

The complaint claims that Arista Records allowed the sexual abuse to happen by giving Combs authority and not ensuring Lampros' safety.

CNN has reached out to representatives for Combs, Bad Boy Records, Arista Records, and Sony Music Entertainment for comment.

The most recent lawsuit follows allegations from former model Crystal McKinney, winner of MTV's 1998 Model Mission competition show, who claims Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her. Additionally, CNN obtained exclusive surveillance footage showing Combs physically attacking his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016.

Combs is currently under investigation by a Department of Homeland Security team that specializes in human trafficking crimes, as confirmed by a senior federal law enforcement official.

In response to the investigation, Diddy's attorney, Aaron Dyer, stated that there have been no findings of criminal or civil liability related to the allegations. Following the search of two of the musician's homes in March, Dyer emphasized that Mr. Combs maintains his innocence and is committed to clearing his name.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Editor's P/S:

The allegations