Terius Gesteelde-Diamant, better known as The-Dream, a celebrated producer and songwriter renowned for his work with megastars like Beyoncé and Rihanna, is now facing serious accusations. A lawsuit filed on Tuesday by Chanaaz Mangroe, an artist The-Dream once mentored, alleges rape and sexual battery, The New York Times reports. The-Dream, with eight Grammy Awards to his name, has a legacy of creating hits that have defined the pop and R&B genres. However, these recent claims threaten to overshadow his achievements.
Chanaaz Mangroe, who performed as Channii Monroe, alleges that The-Dream manipulated her with promises of stardom to trap her in an abusive relationship. The lawsuit outlines numerous incidents beginning in 2015 where The-Dream allegedly forced her into sexual acts, strangled her, and recorded intimate moments, later using the footage as a threat. These abuses purportedly started shortly after their initial meeting in Atlanta when he invited her to collaborate on music projects.
The Influence & Manipulation
With a repertoire that includes hits like “Umbrella” by Rihanna and “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé, The-Dream holds substantial sway in the music industry. The lawsuit portrays him as exploiting this power, using career advancement as a lure to control Mangroe. She alleges he pressured her into sexual acts by claiming it was necessary for her professional success, effectively intertwining her aspirations with her abuse.
The complaint describes a disturbing escalation in Gesteelde-Diamant’s behavior. Mangroe alleges Gesteelde-Diamant placed her in a hotel under surveillance by his security team and faced verbal abuse for minor grievances. The lawsuit also claims The-Dream provided her with drugs and alcohol and forced her into non-consensual sexual activities. In one of these instances, she claimed that it took place in a movie theater.
“What Dream did to me made it impossible to live the life I envisioned for myself and pursue my goals as a singer and songwriter,” Ms. Mangroe said in a statement. “Ultimately, my silence has become too painful, and I realized that I need to tell my story to heal. I hope that doing so will also help others and prevent future horrific abuse.”
Legal Ramifications and Industry Response
Mangroe’s lawsuit also implicates Epic Records, a Sony subsidiary, for their inaction when she reported the abuse. She claims an executive dismissed her concerns and suggested she reconcile with Gesteelde-Diamant. By 2016, she alleges that Epic dropped her due to his influence. The lawsuit leverages the Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act. This permits older cases of sexual assault to be prosecuted beyond the standard limitations period.
Responses & Historical Allegations
Gesteelde-Diamant has denied the allegations, calling them false and defamatory. He stressed his opposition to harassment and commitment to supporting fellow artists. “These claims are untrue and defamatory,” he said in the statement. “I oppose all forms of harassment and have always strived to help people realize their career goals. As someone committed to making a positive impact on my fellow artists and the world at large, I am deeply offended and saddened by these accusations.” However, this isn’t the first time he’s faced such accusations. In 2014, he was accused of assaulting a pregnant former girlfriend. However, the court dropped the charges due to lack of evidence.
Legal Representation & Industry Patterns
Mangroe is represented by Douglas H. Wigdor and Meredith A. Firetog, the same lawyers who represented singer Cassie in a notable case against Sean Combs. They argue that Mangroe’s case exemplifies a broader issue of powerful men in the music industry abusing their positions. They hope this lawsuit will expose these practices and contribute to preventing future abuses.
Conclusion
The allegations against The-Dream highlight severe issues of exploitation and abuse within the music industry. As the legal proceedings unfold, they may bring increased scrutiny and potentially lead to significant changes in how such allegations are handled. This case underscores the misuse of power and the bravery of those who come forward to tell their stories.
Rap mogul Diddy’s world came crashing in November 2023 after his ex-girlfriend and singer Cassie filed a federal lawsuit against him. In her lawsuit against Diddy, Cassie claimed the rapper physically and sexually abused her throughout their relationship’s duration. Cassie alleged that Diddy beat her, forced her to have sex with other men, and raped her. Diddy settled Cassie’s lawsuit immediately after it was filed. However, his lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, denied Cassie’s allegations against him, claiming they were lies aimed at tarnishing Diddy’s image.
Benjamin’s words were called into question on May 17, 2024, after CNN released security footage showing Diddy assaulting Cassie in a hotel elevator. After the video’s release, Diddy apologized via an Instagram video. The “Last Night” rapper received severe backlash after the video’s release and even after his apology, which some found insensitive. The recent occurrence marked another sad twist to Diddy’s struggles.
In March 2024, the Feds raided the rapper’s properties in Miami and Los Angeles. Additionally, more people have filed lawsuits against Diddy, with his reputation increasingly declining. A major part of Diddy’s controversies is the lawsuits against him. These lawsuits have been so much that it is easy to lose count. Here is a guide to all the lawsuits against Diddy and everything you should know about them.
On May 23, 2024, April Lampros filed a 22-page lawsuit against Diddy. In the lawsuit, April accused Diddy of sexual assault, battery, and negligent infliction of emotional stress. She also accused him of committing a crime of violence motivated by gender. April filed the lawsuit at the New York County Supreme Court.
In the lawsuit, April claimed she met Diddy in early 1994. Then, she was a college student at the Fashion Institute of Technology. She said Diddy promised to be her mentor and gave her gifts and flowers. However, she claimed she suffered four terrifying sexual encounters that lasted until the 2000s. April claimed one of the sexual encounters occurred with Diddy’s late ex-partner, the late Kim Porter, in 1996. April said Diddy allegedly forced her and Kim to take ecstasy and have sex with each other. Afterward, he purportedly masturbated and proceeded to rape her.
April further claimed that another of her sexual encounters with Diddy occurred at the end of 2000 when he was in a relationship with Jennifer Lopez. According to her, the rapper arrived at her apartment with his security detail and tried to force her to have sex with him. However, turned him down and asked him to leave. She also claimed that she met a man at an event in 2003 who told her he saw a tape of her having sex with Diddy. April claimed the tape was filmed without her consent.
Crystal McKinney Files Lawsuit Against Diddy
Crystal McKinney filed her lawsuit against Diddy at a federal court in Manhattan on May 21, 2024. She claimed she met the Bad Boys Records founder when she was 22. Then, Crystal was a model and had flown into New York for a Fashion Week event at Cipriani. She said a designer flew her into New York and handpicked the clothes she would wear for the event. The outfit included a black leather coat and a translucent chiffon beige V-cut shirt. Crystal further claimed she kept the outfit unwashed in plastic wrap after the scarring events that occurred.
Crystal said Diddy allegedly told her he was highly influential in the industry and would help her excel in her career. She revealed they met at a studio later that night, and he allegedly gave her a laced joint and plied her with alcohol. She claimed the rapper followed her to the bathroom and forced her to perform oral sex on him. Crystal said Diddy didn’t keep to his promise of advancing her modeling career after the alleged assault. Instead, he allegedly “blackballed” her, causing her to suffer depression and attempt suicide.
Grace O’Marcaigh Lists Diddy As A Defendant In Lawsuit Against His Son Christian Combs
Diddy is not the only one in his family to have a lawsuit filed against him. On April 4, 2024, a woman named Grace O’Marcaigh filed a lawsuit against his 26-year-old son, Christian Combs. In the 31-page lawsuit, Grace sued Christian for sexual assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and battery. The aggrieved woman claimed she worked as a yacht deckhand for the Combs family during the Christmas break in the Caribbean in 2022 and was sexually assaulted while carrying out her duties. Grace listed Diddy as a defendant in the lawsuit, stating that he should be held liable for his son’s actions since he charted the yacht and was responsible for his guests throughout the duration of the Caribbean trip.
In the lawsuit, Grace claimed a “heavily intoxicated” Christian physically assaulted her on Dec. 28, 2022. She alleged that he blocked her from leaving, removed her clothes, and tried to force her to have oral sex with him. Grace also sued Diddy for promoting an “environment of debauchery,” filled with suspected sex workers, alcohol allegedly laced with drugs, violence, and disrespect for the crew. However, Diddy and Christian’s attorney, Aaron Dyer, responded to Grace’s lawsuit by calling it “lewd and meritless.” He also vowed to file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
Rodney Jones’s Lawsuit Against Diddy
Chicago native and record producer Rodney Jones filed a 105-page lawsuit against Diddy on Feb. 2, 2024. In his lawsuit, he accused the music mogul and those working with him of being part of an illegal racketeering syndicate. He further claimed he had concrete evidence to prove that Diddy and his cohorts acquired, used, and distributed ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, marijuana, and mushrooms. Rodney also claimed to have evidence that Diddy and his workers displayed and distributed unregistered illegal firearms and solicited minors and sex workers.
Rodney alleged that Combs reached out to him in 2022 to help him with song production. However, he claimed what Diddy wanted him to do was way more than producing music. Rodney claimed Diddy tasked him with buying drugs and soliciting sex workers to perform sex acts to please him. He further claimed that Diddy asked him to record those sexual acts. According to Rodney, Diddy hit him when he failed to comply with his demands. Rodney also accused Diddy of lacing women’s drinks with ecstasy.
Later in the lawsuit, Rodney said Diddy allegedly grabbed him without his consent and forced him to work while Diddy walked around naked. He claimed that Diddy once left him alone in a makeshift studio on a yacht with Cuba Gooding Jr. Rodney claimed the actor touched, groped, and fondled his upper thighs near his groin and didn’t stop until he forcefully pushed him away. Meanwhile, Diddy’s attorney, Shawn Holley, claimed Rodney’s allegations were false and accused the latter of being a con man. Shawn added that there was proof that Rodney fabricated his claims and expressed resolve to take appropriate court action.
An unidentified woman alleged that Diddy and former Bad Boys Records president Harve Pierre gang-raped and sex-trafficked her when she was 17 and in the 11th grade. In a lawsuit filed on Dec. 2, 2023, Jane Doe claimed Diddy convinced her to follow Harve and an unnamed man on a private jet to his New York City studio. After getting to Diddy’s studio, he and his associates, including Harve, plied her with drugs and alcohol and gang-raped her. She also claimed that Diddy watched as the unnamed man raped her while she begged him to stop. Afterward, Harve also allegedly raped her and violently demanded oral sex as she choked and struggled for breath.
Diddy and Harve denied Jane’s allegations, with the former’s attorneys asking the court to dismiss the lawsuit. Diddy also shared a statement via social media on Dec. 6, 2023, in which he called the allegations against him sickening and declared that he was innocent of the awful things he was accused of. Diddy also vowed to fight for his name, his family, and the truth. Similarly, Harve released a statement denying Jane’s allegations, describing it as a “tale of fiction.”
Liza Gardner’s Lawsuit Against Diddy
In Liza Gardner’s lawsuit filed on Nov. 23, 2023, she accused Diddy and singer and songwriter Aaron Hall of forcefully having sex with her against her will when she was 16. She claimed she met Diddy and Aaron during an event for Jodeci’s album release in New York. According to Liza, Diddy invited her and her friend to Aaron’s apartment for an after-party. There, Diddy allegedly coerced her into having sexual intercourse with him. When he was done with her, and she was getting dressed, Aaron allegedly entered the room, pinned her down, and forcefully had sex with her. Liza claimed she suffered from intense vaginal pain after the experience. She said she ran away from the apartment and later found out that her friend allegedly suffered the same fate at the hands of Diddy and Aaron.
Liza further claimed that Diddy came to her home a day after the assault. She accused him of assaulting and choking her so much that she passed out. Liza said she suffered from depression, PTSD, and a strained relationship with men after her experience with Diddy and Aaron. Hence, she requested for a jury trial. Again, Diddy’s attorney claimed the allegations were false and fabricated.
Joi Dickerson-Neal filed a 22-page lawsuit against Diddy on Nov. 23, 2023, accusing him of sexually assaulting her. She claimed she met the rapper after appearing in a music video with him. Then, she was a student at Syracuse University. Later, Joi agreed to go on a date with Diddy but claimed he intentionally drugged her during their outing. Joi stated that Diddy sexually assaulted her and video-recorded the whole thing. She also claimed her male friend told her he viewed the taped recording of her and Diddy. He also told her everyone had seen the sex tape.
Joi claimed the situation with Diddy caused her life to decline as she was admitted to the hospital for severe depression and suicidal ideation. The complainant also claimed to have suffered a lifetime of injuries from Diddy’s actions toward her. She sued the musician for assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, human trafficking, and revenge porn. However, Diddy, through a spokesperson, denied the allegations, claiming it was a “money grab.”
Singer and Diddy’s ex-girlfriend began the lawsuit trend against the rapper when she braved the odds to file against him on Nov. 16, 2023. Cassie’s 35-page lawsuit accused Diddy of sexual assault, sex trafficking, and battery. She also accused him of forcing her to engage in sexual acts. Cassie claimed Diddy physically abused her throughout their relationship’s duration and asserted complete control over her personal and professional life. Hence, she found it hard to escape his hold over her. Cassie stated that Diddy’s staff and record label knew about his abuse toward her.
Diddy swiftly settled the lawsuit with Cassie. The former lovers reached a mutual settlement a day after the lawsuit was filed. Diddy’s representative claimed Cassie’s allegations were false, but his words didn’t hold water after CNN released footage of Diddy physically assaulting Cassie. Although Diddy apologized for his actions, the video was too disturbing and damaged his already faltering reputation.
Word from behind the walls of Diddy states the Bad Boy mogul is pointing to an “agenda” against him. The report comes from The New York Post in reaction to the video of Diddy’s assault on Cassie in a hotel in 2016.
A source stated Diddy is “incensed” about the video release.
“He insists it doesn’t tell the full story about what happened,” the insider stated. “Not that he’s excusing it, but he says that it’s a selected video.
“It’s his position that there was an agenda in releasing the video when it was released. But ultimately, he knows that his big concern is the raids on his house; the Cassie video is just a distraction.”
Additionally, Diddy is the subject of yet another lawsuit from a woman. According to TMZ, model Crystal McKinney met Diddy at Men’s Fashion Week in 2003 when she was 22.
According to McKinney, Diddy invited her to the studio, where she engaged in drinking and smoking weed, which she believes was laced with narcotics, leading to her being disorientated.
That moment was followed by being forced into a bathroom, where she was then forced to perform oral sex, eventually losing consciousness and waking up in a taxi.
McKinney stated she was subjected to a modeling industry blackball and attempted suicide in 2004.
McKinney says her suit was inspired by Cassie’s and the feeling of having “a moral obligation to speak up.”
In the past two days, Sean “Diddy” Combs has faced a second sexual assault lawsuit, adding to a series of troubling allegations against him. The latest case, filed by April Lampros, accuses Combs of multiple instances of sexual assault spanning from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. Lampros claims that the abuse began when she was a student in New York City and continued during her internship at Arista Records. This lawsuit follows closely on the heels of another accusation, signaling a growing crisis for the music mogul. As these legal battles unfold, the details paint a disturbing picture of the experiences of these women.
April Lampros filed her lawsuit on Thursday at the Supreme Court of the State of New York, detailing “four terrifying sexual encounters” with Sean “Diddy” Combs. According to the documents, she met Combs in 1994 while attending the Fashion Institute of Technology. Lampros’ allegations include charges of battery, assault, sexual assault, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and gender-motivated violence. She asserts that the assaults have caused her ongoing harm, including severe emotional distress and physical injuries, for which she seeks monetary damages.
Internship At Arista Records
At the time of the alleged assaults, Lampros was an intern at Arista Records. The lawsuit claims that the company was negligent in allowing Combs to hold a position of authority, arguing that they failed to protect her and other potential victims from harm. Bad Boy Records, Arista Records, and Sony Entertainment are all listed as defendants in the lawsuit. The complaint states that these companies should have known about Combs’ propensity for violence and sexual misconduct. Representatives from these companies have been contacted by BBC News for comment but have yet to respond.
In a particularly troubling claim, the lawsuit states that Combs recorded a video of him and Lampros having sex without her knowledge and consent. Lampros was reportedly informed about the video only a few years ago and learned that Combs had shown it to multiple people. This allegation adds another layer of violation to her claims, highlighting the pervasive nature of the alleged abuse.
In a related development, singer Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, recently made her first public statement following the release of a video showing Combs attacking her in 2016. The video, which emerged last week via CNN, led Cassie to reflect on her own experiences of domestic violence at the hands of Combs. She described the impact of the abuse as life-altering, stating, “Domestic violence broke me down to someone I never thought I would become.” Cassie’s legal action against Combs last year also brought attention to his alleged pattern of abusive behavior. In response to the video, Combs issued an apology, expressing his disgust at his actions.
Recent Accusations & Legal Troubles
Earlier this week, another woman, model Crystal McKinney, accused Combs of drugging and sexually assaulting her in 2003. McKinney’s lawsuit claims that Combs invited her to his New York studio, where he provided her with alcohol and marijuana until she was intoxicated, then sexually assaulted her. This accusation is part of a broader pattern of allegations that have emerged against Combs in recent months. Last month, federal authorities raided Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a federal human trafficking investigation, indicating the severe and far-reaching nature of the legal issues he faces.
The allegations against Combs have sparked significant public and media attention, raising questions about the music industry’s handling of such serious claims. While representatives for Combs have yet to comment on the latest lawsuit, the mounting accusations have undoubtedly tarnished his public image. As the legal proceedings continue, the testimonies of the women involved will play a crucial role in determining the outcomes of these cases. The industry and public alike are closely watching, with many calling for accountability and justice for the victims.
Jeannie Mai is in the middle of a pretty contentious divorce from Jeezy, and is apparently seeing her story reflected in other big pop culture developments. Specifically, she reacted to new footage of Diddy assaulting Cassie and responded to the former Bad Boy artist’s message to fans about their support and her journey. “In every echo of your bravery, Cassie, there lies a melody of hope that dances through the silence,” Mai wrote to Cassie. “Your voice has been a shield and sanctuary for many, including me. Thank you for turning your fight into your light.” Of course, fans found it hard to see this in any other context that wasn’t relating to her current situation.
Moreover, Jeannie Mai accused Jeezy of subjecting her to domestic abuse and child neglect, exhibiting behavior that included “explosive outbursts, excessive drinking, and domestic violence.” The rapper denied any and all claims on social media, labeling them as “not only false but also deeply disturbing, especially coming from someone [he] loved.” As such, there are a lot of conflicting narrative points in their legal battle, so the public is still very unclear as to what actually went down and how the court will respond. That struggle is still ongoing, so there should be more updates throughout the year when it comes to their status.
Furthermore, the last claim that came up in their divorce process is that Jeezy accused Jeannie Mai of “weaponizing” their daughter against him. Given that the two started a family, this will probably be one of the more combative and potentially ugly parts of this debacle, as they will fight staunchly to stay connected. While this situation is very different to that of Diddy and Cassie, it’s understandable why people drew these links before Mai even said anything. Maybe it’s not because of the actual circumstances, but more because of the timing of both of these stories.
In both cases, especially relating to Diddy’s various sexual assault lawsuits, there are claims and accusations that the court still hasn’t verified at press time. It’s more likely than not that the Jeezy and Jeannie Mai case will continue for a while. All we can hope for is that there’s solid verification for stories moving forward. After all, this whole court situation can result in a lot of gossip.
50 Cent has gone to pretty much every emotional extreme in his attempts to mock Diddy amid his various abuse, sexual assault, and sex trafficking lawsuits. Moreover, he’s been as sadly mournful, overtly gleeful, conspiratorial, troll-heavy, and angry as he’s ever been in his attacks against the Bad Boy mogul. But even the biggest Puff haters might do a double take with Fif’s recent rhetorical focus when it comes to his comments on the matter. For example, he recently reacted to yet another sexual assault lawsuit against Sean Combs with a potentially insensitive and morbid thought that fans might not stomach well.
“[Eyes emoji] Damn man I have never seen anything like this before, if you cool with puffy call him,” 50 Cent captioned a recent Instagram post sharing a news story on Diddy’s newest lawsuit. “He might boom [explosion emoji] his self. Meeka check on ya man !” Furthermore, this isn’t the first time that he’s referred to this dark act in relation to this situation. “Got damn boy another one,” the G-Unit mogul wrote in a since-deleted IG post reacting to another lawsuit against Combs this week. “This my last puffy post I think he might kill himself. I don’t want no parts of that.”
While that obviously wasn’t true, as 50 Cent continues to troll Diddy online, a lot of other folks weren’t as quick to jump to these conclusions. Also, this new wave of lawsuits comes amid recently released footage of the music executive assaulting his then-partner Cassie in a hotel hallway. This represented the final straw for folks that previously doubted the potential for crimes here, but the word “potential” is key here. After all, many of the other atrocities that are being accused haven’t been scrutinized by a court of law or other evidence as of writing this article.
Meanwhile, we’ll see what these new lawsuits result in and whether there’s a big update on the Diddy case in the works. Of course, we know that 50 Cent will probably be first in line to comment on it either way, and we can never underestimate the unexpected from him. Hopefully more action comes about in the near future to push these cases along and get to the bottom of things as fast as possible, whether to condemn or to clear. But this accusatory ambiguity, resulting in self-harm jokes, has proven to be more dangerous than we thought.
Diddy received yet another sexual assault lawsuit amid his current scandal over abuse and sex trafficking claims, among other alleged crimes. Moreover, this one accuses him of forcing a woman to have sex with his then-partner Kim Porter, who has since passed. The alleged victim’s name is April Lampros, and filed suit in New York on Thursday (May 23) for battery, sexual assault, inflicting emotional distress, and gender-motivated violence. Lampros claimed that Sean Combs assaulted her four times, including the supposed Kim Porter incident during which she was allegedly forced to take ecstasy. She claims to have first met him in 1994 as a fashion student, and also claimed that he recorded their sexual acts and showed them to others without her consent.
Furthermore, Lampros alleged that the first of these incidents occurred in 1995 and that Diddy pressured her to drink alcohol, which led to “uneasy” feelings. Supposedly, she passed out in a hotel room, and that’s when he allegedly sexually assaulted her. Months later, the suit alleges, the Bad Boy mogul sent Lampros multiple gifts and successfully offered to discuss business opportunities with him. But she claims that he assaulted her again later that year in a parking garage by forcing her to her knees to perform oral sex on him.
Also, Lampros alleges that she tried to cut ties with Diddy after that alleged assault, and that he threatened to physically hurt her and blacklist her from the fashion world. The third incident, the lawsuit claims, happened in 1996, when he allegedly forced Lampros and Kim Porter to take ecstasy and have sex with each other. According to the alleged victim, the New York native told her that she “had no control over the situation as he could make her lose her job.” The suit further claims that he masturbated while they engaged in the sexual act, and that he sexually assaulted Lampros afterwards.
In addition, she claims that Diddy and Kim Porter led to Lampros’ firing from a bar after they saw her working there. While she alleges that her relationship with him ended by 1998, she also claimed that they ran into each other two years later, after which he incessantly called her phone to say that he missed her. They apparently met at her apartment with one of the music executive’s bodyguards, and Puff allegedly kissed Lampros and touched her without her permission before she made him leave. Along with several photos of them together in the suit, this is what she said about their relationship. “I’m confident that justice will prevail and the veil will be removed so no other woman will have to endure what I did.” Lampros filed the seventh sexual assault lawsuit in six months against Combs, and the second this week.
Chaka Khan’s daughter, Indira Khan, posted on Instagram that she is “singing and dancing” while watching Diddy’s demise.
What caused this? According to her, Diddy screamed in the legend’s face, and when her son attempted to intervene, the mogul’s security jumped him.
You can read the entire message from Indira Khan below.
Chaka Khan’s daughter shares a comment under Diddy’s apology video:
“I’m glad this is happening to you, you got in my mothers face and publicly disrespected her yelling and screaming like a lunatic when my little brother tried to get you out of my mothers face your security… https://t.co/FCi0hJ7PKLpic.twitter.com/iDXrSOXhvk
In other news, Diddy is the subject of yet another lawsuit from a woman. According to TMZ, model Crystal McKinney met Diddy at Men’s Fashion Week in 2003 when she was 22.
According to McKinney, Diddy invited her to the studio, where she engaged in drinking and smoking weed, which she believes was laced with narcotics, leading to her being disorientated.
That moment was followed by being forced into a bathroom, where she was then forced to perform oral sex, eventually losing consciousness and waking up in a taxi.
McKinney stated she was subjected to a modeling industry blackball and attempted suicide in 2004.
McKinney says her suit was inspired by Cassie’s and the feeling of having “a moral obligation to speak up.”
Diddy is the subject of yet another lawsuit from a woman. According to TMZ, model Crystal McKinney met Diddy at Men’s Fashion Week in 2003 when she was 22.
According to McKinney, Diddy invited her to the studio, where she engaged in drinking and smoking weed, which she believes was laced with narcotics, leading to her being disorientated.
That moment was followed by being forced into a bathroom, where she was then forced to perform oral sex, eventually losing consciousness and waking up in a taxi.
McKinney stated she was subjected to a modeling industry blackball and attempted suicide in 2004.
McKinney says her suit was inspired by Cassie’s and the feeling of having “a moral obligation to speak up.”
John Legend has found himself roped into the lawsuit against music executive L.A. Reid for alleged sexual assault. For those unaware, former Arista Records employee Drew Dixon accused her former boss of two instances of the crime via a suit filed in November of 2023 under New York’s Adult Survivors Act right before the statute of limitations for this extension ended. In an exclusive AllHipHop report, the latest development in this case is that, according to court documents the publication reportedly obtained, Dixon served John Legend with a notice of deposition, as authorities apparently listed him as a witness in a discovery status report filed on Wednesday (May 1) in New York.
“On April 30, 2024, Plaintiff served notices of depositions for the following witnesses: Nichelle Devaille (deposition set for May 7, 2024); Karen Kwak (May 20, 2024); Roy Lott (June 20, 2024); and John Stephens p/k/a John Legend (June 24, 2024),” the third discovery report supposedly read in this civil case. At press time, the singer hasn’t publicly responded to these claims, the lawsuit, or the notice. It’s unclear whether he will actually have to participate in this trial or if it’s just for some questions. Either way, it’s definitely an escalation.
L.A. Reid At The Black Music & Entertainment Walk Of Fame
“Following the second sexual assault in Mr. Reid’s car, Ms. Dixon intensified her efforts to avoid Mr. Reid,” Drew Dixon’s attorneys shared in writing concerning the case against L.A. Reid’s alleged assault. “However, Mr. Reid persisted in trying to corner her alone by inviting her to meetings in his hotel room night after night. When Ms. Dixon resisted his efforts, Mr. Reid grew angry and increasingly hostile towards her, as well as to her artists, and her ideas. This was a drastic reversal from Mr. Reid’s enthusiasm about her creative taste and instincts over the years, and harm came from the fact that Mr. Reid would directly respond to Ms. Dixon’s rejection of his sexual advances by punishing the artists Ms. Dixon had already signed or by blocking the artists she attempted to sign. This included future superstars like Kanye West, John Legend and Toya.
Furthermore, Dixon accused L.A. Reid of sexual battery, infliction of emotional distress driven by intent, violence motivated by gender, and false imprisonment. Following a settlement conference in March, both parties have another scheduled for June 25. While Dixon’s legal team did not need more time to complete discovery, Reid’s did. “With regard to discovery as a whole, Defendant notes that this case presents unusual challenges given that it has been commenced more than two decades after the alleged wrongs,” his lawyers shared. “As a result, additional time has been and will be required to locate witnesses and documents, and Defendant anticipates that some witnesses and documents may ultimately be unavailable due to the passage of time.”