Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs facing new lawsuit by another woman who says he drugged, sexually assaulted her

Musician Sean "Diddy" Combs is now facing another lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault.

April Lampros, now 51, in a claim filed in the Supreme Court of New York County, alleged that the music mogul assaulted her several times, beginning in 1995.

She is suing Combs, 54, over allegations of battery, sexual assault, infliction of emotional distress, and gender-motivated violence, NBC News reports.

Lampros is the sixth woman to file assault allegations against Combs in a lawsuit. Here is a timeline of the legal drama surrounding Combs and his responses, beginning with the latest developments.

May 23, 2024: April Lampros' lawsuit says she was drugged, raped by Sean 'Diddy Combs'

Lampros' lawsuit stated she met Combs in 1994 when she was a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She said he promised to mentor her and provide industry connections before becoming "aggressive" and "coercive."

Lampros said Combs sexually assaulted her on four occasions in court documents obtained by NBC News.

Representatives for Combs did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday evening.

The lawsuit alleged the first time Combs sexually assaulted Lampros was at a bar in 1995, and the musician pressured her to drink. She said she felt "uneasy" after taking a few sips and was later taken to a car to leave with Combs. She alleged Combs raped her in a hotel that evening as she pleaded with him to stop before passing out.

She said Combs sent her gifts and flowers for months after the incident and she was convinced to give him another chance. He subsequently forced her to perform oral sex as they walked to a parking garage from his apartment, the lawsuit alleged.

In a third incident, Lampros alleged that she was at Combs’ apartment in Manhattan with Combs' then-girlfriend Kim Porter, when he forced ecstasy down their throats and demanded Porter and Lampros have sex.

According to the lawsuit, Lampros ended her relationship with Combs by 1998. Two years later, she ran into Combs at an event and he called for days afterward, the lawsuit alleged.

She “reluctantly” agreed to allow the musician to hear what he had to say, but when Combs arrived, he allegedly grabbed Lampros and forced himself on her, kissing and touching her without her consent. Lampros' suit said she fought him off enough to reach for her door and asked him to leave.

Lampros said in a May 23 statement, “I’m confident that justice will prevail and the veil will be removed so no other woman will have to endure what I did.”

May 23, 2024: Cassie says she'll 'always be recovering from my past' in first comments since shocking CNN video

R&B singer Cassie thanked fans for the outpouring of support and urged people to believe victims of domestic violence in her first comments since the release of a video purporting to show Combs assaulting her in a hotel hallway.

Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura, posted a statement on Instagram on May 23 saying that she will “always be recovering” from her past and pleaded with others to be open to “believing victims the first time.”

The R&B singer issued a statement on Instagram six days after CNN released a video purportedly showing Combs shoving, kicking and dragging her across the floor of a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.

"Thank you for all the love and support from my family, friends, strangers and those I have yet to meet," she wrote. "The outpouring of love has created a place for my younger self to settle and feel safe now, but this is only the beginning.

"Domestic Violence is THE issue," she continued. "It broke me down to someone I never thought I would become. With a lot of hard work, I am better today, but I will always be recovering from my past."

Ventura, who was in an on-and-off again relationship with the rapper for 10 years, filed a lawsuit against Combs in November 2023 alleging physical and emotional abuse. The two reached a settlement agreement a day later.

Combs denied her allegations, and an attorney for Combs said the agreement was not an “admission of wrongdoing.”

In her Instagram statement on May 23, Ventura urged others to support victims of domestic violence and offered help to survivors.

"Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to take this matter seriously," she wrote. "My only ask is that EVERYONE open your heart to believing victims the first time. It takes a lot of heart to tell the truth out of a situation that you were powerless in.

"I offer my hand to those that are still living in fear," she continued. "Reach out to your people, don't cut them off. No one should carry this weight alone. This healing journey is never ending, but this support means everything to me."

May 21, 2024: Model Crystal McKinney accuses Combs in a lawsuit of sexually assaulting her in 2003

Crystal McKinney, a former model, alleged in a lawsuit filed May 21 in federal court that she was attacked at the rapper’s New York City studio in 2003 when she was 22.

Representatives for Combs, 54, did not immediately respond to NBC News' requests for comment about McKinney's lawsuit.

In the lawsuit, McKinney says she met Combs at a Men’s Fashion Week event and the musician promised to help her career, saying she “was going to make it big one day” as a model.

Combs invited McKinney to his studio, where she was offered a joint of marijuana by one of his associates, the lawsuit said. She later "came to understand that Combs had laced the joint with a narcotic or other intoxicating substance,” according to the lawsuit.

McKinney said she was pressured by Combs to smoke more and drink alcohol, even though she was severely intoxicated. Combs then "demanded" she follow him to the bathroom and "physically led" her there, according to the lawsuit. He then forced her to perform a sex act, McKinney alleged in the suit.

McKinney's suit seeks unspecified damages for pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages. Attorneys for McKinney declined to comment on May 21.

NBC News reported that McKinney’s lawsuit is the seventh in a series of similar suits filed against the music mogul. Combs has denied all the past allegations.

May 19, 2024: Combs posts apology video after hotel surveillance video released

Combs issued an apology following the release of surveillance video that appeared to show him assaulting Ventura at a hotel in 2016.

In an Instagram video, in which he captioned, "I’m truly sorry," Combs called the behavior on the video "inexcusable" and one of the "darkest times" in his life.

“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that," he said. "I was f---- up — I mean, I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses,” Combs said. “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I’m disgusted. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now.”

Combs said that after the incident he "sought out professional help," including going to therapy, rehab and seeking spiritual guidance.

“I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day,” he added.

The music mogul's apology came less than two days after the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said they would be "unable to charge" Combs after the surveillance video went viral.

“We are aware of the video that has been circulating online allegedly depicting Sean Combs assaulting a young woman in Los Angeles,” a statement from the district attorney’s office said on May 17. “We find the images extremely disturbing and difficult to watch.”

In the clip published by CNN on May 17, a man appearing to be Combs storms through the corridor of a Los Angeles hotel before shoving, kicking, and dragging Ventura across the floor.

NBC News has not independently verified the surveillance footage.

In the statement, the district attorney’s office said that due to the date of the alleged incident, they would “be unable to charge as the conduct would have occurred beyond the timeline where a crime of assault can be prosecuted.”

“As of today, law enforcement has not presented a case related to the attack depicted in the video against Mr. Combs, but we encourage anyone who has been a victim or witness to a crime to report it to law enforcement or reach out to our office for support from our Bureau of Victims Services."

May 17, 2024: Ventura's husband releases statement on social media following the hotel video release

Ventura’s husband, Alex Fine, shared his own statement on social media following the release of the video.

“I want my kids and every kid to live in a world that’s safe for women and girls, protects them and treats them as equals,” he wrote in part, noting he had previously shared the message. “To the women and children, you’re not alone, and you are heard.”

He shared a screenshot of his statement on Instagram, writing that he had written the message “awhile back” before noting that “the words ring true not just today but everyday.”

“Men who hit women aren’t men. Men who enable it and protect those people aren’t men,” Fine wrote. “As men violence against women shouldn’t be inevitable, check your brothers, your friends, and your family.”

Fine, who shares two daughters with Ventura, emphasized that all women including daughters, mothers, sisters, and wives “should feel protected and loved.”

“To all the survivors, find the men and women who help and love,” he added. “To all the survivors, your stories are real, and people believe you. To all the survivors, you’re not alone, and there are men and women who care only for your well being and safety.”

He also issued a message directed at women and children, writing, “I’m sorry you live in a world where you’re not protected, and you don’t feel equal. I want to raise my daughters in a world where they are safe and loved.”

Fine’s statement concluded with a message to “abusers,” adding in part, “You’re done, you’re not safe anymore, you’re not protected anymore, the men by your side are just as weak.”

May 17, 2024: Surveillance video obtained by CNN reportedly shows Combs assaulting Ventura in a hotel room in 2016

In Ventura’s November 2023 complaint, she said Combs attacked her in 2016 while they were staying at the InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.

In its report, CNN said it verified the now-closed hotel as the location in the disturbing video based on publicly available photos of its interior.

According to CNN, the video appears to show a shirtless Combs with a towel around his waist, running down a hallway. He then grabs Ventura by the neck and whips her to the floor, kicking her multiple times while she’s on the ground.

Combs is then seen dragging Ventura by her sweatshirt around a corner, out of view of surveillance cameras. In another moment, he appears to grab an object off a hallway table and throw it at her, according to the footage on CNN.

CNN reported that the video footage was from March 5, 2016.

“The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs,” Douglas H. Wigdor, an attorney for Ventura, said in a statement to NBC News.

“Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.”

April 4, 2024: Combs’ son, Christian, is accused of sexual assault in a lawsuit that also names Combs 

On April 4, a woman filed a suit against Combs’ son, Christian Combs, 26, claiming that he sexually assaulted her in December 2022 when she was working on a yacht that Sean Combs had chartered for a trip.

Sean Combs, a father of seven, is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit for premises liability and for “aiding and abetting his son in the alleged assault,” NBC News reported.

The plaintiff, Grace O’Marcaigh, alleges that Christian Combs became aggressive, groped her and pressured her to drink tequila, which she “quickly suspected” was spiked, according to the lawsuit obtained by NBC News.

O’Marcaigh has also shared what she claims are audio transcripts of her and Christian Combs speaking in a recording studio on the yacht, which she says serves as evidence of the alleged assault.

“Excuse me, you don’t touch my legs like that. I’ll move my legs where I want to,” O’Marcaigh said in one transcript, according to the lawsuit. “If I want to do this, then I will. You don’t touch my legs like that.”

The lawsuit also includes photos of bruising on O’Marcaigh’s arm, which allegedly occurred when Christian Combs grabbed her, according to NBC News.

According to the suit, O'Marcaigh reported the incident to the yacht’s captain the next day, but she says the captain did not believe her.

The lawsuit also states that O'Marcaigh suffered physically, emotionally and professionally following the alleged assault.

“I am here to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves and I applaud Grace for being so brave to come forward with her truth,” attorney Rodney S. Diggs told NBC News of his client. “Hopefully her story will inspire others to come forward.”

Representatives for Sean Combs and Christian Combs did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment on April 4.

The day after Combs was named as a defendant in the lawsuit, the rapper posted a clip from one of his music videos to Instagram.

“Bad Boy For Life,” he captioned the Instagram post, which showed footage from the 1997 music video “Victory (feat. The Notorious B.I.G. & Busta Rhymes).”

March 29, 2024: Rapper 50 Cent and his ex, Daphne Joy, respond after she’s named in producer’s lawsuit

Combs' former producer, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, alleged in a civil lawsuit filed in federal court in February that Combs sexually harassed, drugged and threatened him during his work on Combs' 2023 album.

The complaint, which was amended on March 25, also alleged that actor and model Daphne Joy Cervantes Narvaez, known as Daphne Joy, was one of three women "who were paid a monthly fee to work as Mr. Combs' sex workers," according to the filing.

"Defendant Sean Combs bragged about having several women on a monthly stipend," the complaint said.

The allegations about Joy in the lawsuit appeared to prompt a response from Joy’s ex, rapper 50 Cent, with whom she shares a 12-year-old son.

In a statement, the rapper, whose given name is Curtis Jackson III, said he planned to seek sole custody of their son.

"The disturbing allegations in the sworn pleadings recently filed in a court case related to Daphne Joy, the mother of my twelve year old child, has required me to take all necessary legal actions to protect my son Sire," Jackson's statement said.

Jackson also posted several comments on his Twitter and Instagram accounts that appeared to reference Jones' lawsuit. In one, he said Joy "started receiving money from Brother Love." (In 2022, Combs announced he would start going by the moniker "Love.")

Joy responded to the rapper's comments with a lengthy statement on Instagram that included allegations of sexual abuse.

"Let's put the real focus on your true evil actions of raping and physically abusing me," she wrote. "You have permanently damaged the last hope I had for you as a father to preserve our family with these last and final false claims made against me."

Jackson responded to the allegations in his statement.

"The most recent false and baseless accusations by Daphne Joy are clearly in response to my decision to seek sole custody of my son," he said. "My son Sire is my main priority and keeping him in a safe environment is my only focus at this time."

March 26, 2024: Firearms found during searches at Combs’ properties, sources say

Federal agents found firearms during the searches of properties owned by Combs in Los Angeles and Miami, three sources familiar with the matter told NBC News on March 26.

It was not immediately clear who owned the firearms.

Aaron Dyer, an attorney for Combs, said in a statement the music executive cooperated with authorities during the search at his property in Miami. Authorities there also seized Combs’ phones before he was scheduled to depart for a trip to the Bahamas.

Dyer also said that Combs has not been charged with any crimes and called the searches of his properties an “excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities.”

March 25, 2024: An associate of Combs is arrested on drug charges

On the same day Combs’ properties were searched, authorities arrested Brendan Paul, 25, at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport on charges of possession of suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana candy, according to a police report.

Paul, a former basketball player at Syracuse University, is an associate of the music mogul, a law enforcement source familiar with the matter confirmed to NBC News.

In the lawsuit filed by Jones, Diddy’s former producer, Jones alleges that he and Paul were required to carry drugs and guns for Combs when Combs traveled.

The lawsuit also alleges that Jones has video and audio evidence of Combs and others “engaging in serious illegal activity” and includes photos of Paul holding pill bottles while on a yacht with Combs, according to NBC Miami affiliate WTVJ.

Paul bonded out of jail on March 26, court records show.

“We do not plan on trying this case in the media — all issues will be dealt with in court,” Brian Bieber, an attorney for Paul, told NBC News on March 27.

March 25, 2024: Federal agents search two of Combs’ properties in LA and Miami

Properties owned by Combs in Los Angeles and Miami were searched by Homeland Security Investigations agents executing warrants out of the Southern District of New York, four law enforcement sources told NBC News.

HSI confirmed in a statement that it “executed law enforcement actions” in New York, Los Angeles and Miami as part of an ongoing investigation.

Officials also seized phones from Combs in Miami before he left for a trip to the Bahamas, three law enforcement sources familiar with the warrant told NBC News. It is not clear if Combs made the trip as planned.

Representatives for Combs did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment on March 25.

Combs is a subject of a federal investigation, a source familiar with the matter told NBC News. Four people were interviewed and three others were scheduled to speak with federal officials in relation to allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms, the source told NBC News.

Feb. 27, 2024: A producer on Combs’ latest album accuses him of sexual harassment and assault

Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones alleged in a lawsuit filed in federal court in New York in February that Combs sexually harassed, drugged and threatened him for more than a year while he worked on Combs’ 2023 release “The Love Album: Off the Grid.”

Jones, who is seeking $30 million in damages, alleged that the music executive ordered him to procure sex workers and pressured him to engage in unwelcome sex acts with them and others. He also said in the court filing that Combs gave laced alcoholic beverages to people who attended parties at his homes.

“We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies,” an attorney for Combs said in a statement in February.

An amended federal complaint filed by Jones on March 25, 2024, also accused actor Cuba Gooding Jr. of sexually harassing and assaulting him. The amended filing alleges that Gooding groped Jones while on Combs’ yacht.

An attorney and representatives for Gooding did not immediately respond to requests for comment after the amended complaint was filed.

The case continues to move forward.

In a statement on March 26, Tyrone Blackburn, the attorney for Gardner and Jones, told NBC News that while they “appreciate” the federal government’s raids on Combs, “today’s events are not going to prevent nor delay my clients pending and forthcoming actions for justice and resolution from the Combs RICO Enterprise.”

Dec. 6, 2023: Combs issues a statement about the lawsuits, saying ‘enough is enough’

On the same day the fourth lawsuit was filed, Combs put out a statement on Instagram refuting all the allegations.

“Enough is enough,” he wrote. “For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday.

“Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged,” he continued. “I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”

In a separate response at the time, Pierre said he never participated in any sexual assault of Doe nor did he ever witness anyone else sexually assaulting her.

Dec. 6, 2023: A fourth woman accuses Combs of sexual assault in a lawsuit

A fourth woman, identified in a lawsuit only as Jane Doe, accused Combs of sex trafficking and gang rape in 2003, when she was 17 and he was 34.

The woman alleged in a filing in New York that the assault occurred in 2003, saying in the filing that she was gang raped and sex trafficked by Combs and Harve Pierre, a former longtime president of Combs’ Bad Boy record label, as well as an unnamed individual.

“As alleged in the complaint, Defendants preyed on a vulnerable high school teenager as part of a sex trafficking scheme that involved plying her with drugs and alcohol and transporting her by private jet to New York City where she was gang raped by the three individual defendants at Mr. Combs’ studio,” the woman’s attorney said in a statement.

A judge recently ruled that in order for this case to move forward, the plaintiff must reveal her identity.

“The Court recognizes that public disclosure of Doe’s identity could have a significant impact on her, particularly given the graphic and disturbing allegations in this case,” Jessica G. L. Clarke, a U.S. District Judge, wrote in her ruling on Feb. 29.

“While the Court does not take Plaintiff’s concerns lightly, the Court cannot rely on generalized, uncorroborated claims that disclosure would harm Plaintiff to justify her anonymity.”

Douglas Wigdor, the attorney for Doe and Ventura gave NBC News a statement on March 26 following the federal raid on Combs’ properties.

“We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct,” Wigdor said.

Nov. 24, 2023: A third woman files a lawsuit alleging Combs sexually assaulted her in the early 1990s

A woman identified in the complaint as Liza Gardner alleged that Combs and R&B singer Aaron Hall assaulted her and a friend at Hall’s apartment in 1990 or 1991.

Gardner’s lawsuit was filed one day before the expiration of the New York Adult Survivors Act, which allows adult sexual assault survivors one year to sue regardless of when the original statute of limitations expired. An amended suit was filed on March 12, 2024.

The complaint alleges that Gardner, who was 16 at the time, was offered drinks and “coerced into having sex with Combs” at Hall’s apartment.

“The claims involving alleged misconduct against Mr. Combs from over 30 years ago and filed at the last minute are all completely denied and rejected by him,” a spokesperson for Combs told NBC News at the time. Hall did not respond to NBC News’ request for comment. Gardner’s lawsuit is ongoing.

Nov. 23, 2023: A woman files a lawsuit alleging Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1991

Following the resolution of the lawsuit involving Ventura, a second woman filed a lawsuit against the rap mogul.

Joie Dickerson-Neal alleged in court documents in New York Supreme Court that Combs sexually assaulted her when she was a student at Syracuse University in 1991.

A spokesperson for Combs denied the allegations at the time.

The complaint alleges Combs “intentionally drugged” Dickerson-Neal and then took her to a place he was staying and sexually assaulted her, according to the court filing.

Dickerson-Neal also alleged in the court filing that she was the victim of “revenge porn” because Combs recorded the alleged sexual assault. She said a member of the popular ‘90s R&B group Jodeci named DeVanté Swing told her he and other people viewed a “sex tape” of her.

NBC News reached out to a representative for Swing but did not hear back.

Dickerson-Neal said in court documents that Cassie’s lawsuit prompted her to “face his assault again” and file her own lawsuit. Dickerson-Neal’s lawsuit is still ongoing.

Nov. 16, 2023: Singer Cassie files a lawsuit accusing Combs of rape, then settles a day later

Ventura, 37, filed a lawsuit in New York City accusing Combs of rape and abuse during their 10-plus years as a couple.

Ventura “was held down by Mr. Combs and endured over a decade of his violent behavior and disturbed demands,” the complaint said.

The lawsuit also alleged that Combs encouraged Ventura to use drugs and drink excessive amounts of alcohol in addition to forcing her to get illegal prescription medications for him.

Combs "vehemently" denied the "offensive and outrageous allegations,” his lawyer Ben Brafman said in a statement at the time.

A day after the lawsuit was filed, the two parties announced a settlement had been reached.

“I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control,” Ventura said in a statement. “I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.”

"I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love,” Combs said in a statement.

Brafman said the decision to settle was "in no way an admission of wrongdoing."

“Mr. Combs’ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims,” Brafman said. “He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”

This article was originally published on TODAY.com