NEW YORK CITY: A recent lawsuit has brought forth serious allegations against Sean 'Diddy' Combs, claiming he sexually assaulted a Californian woman, Joi Dickerson-Neal, around 30 years ago.
In a case filed under the Adult Survivors Act, Dickerson-Neal accuses Combs of drugging and assaulting her in 1991 when she was a student, as per Daily Mail.
Joi Dickerson-Neal was a psychology student when she met Diddy
Dickerson-Neal, a psychology student at Syracuse University at the time, crossed paths with Combs while working as a waitress at Wells' Restaurant in Harlem.
Combs, a talent director at Uptown Records back then, allegedly pressured her for a date before reportedly slipping something into her drink.
She claims he then took her to an apartment where she was sexually assaulted, with the incident supposedly filmed and circulated widely.
Aftermath of the alleged assault led Joi Dickerson-Neal to drop out of college
The aftermath of the alleged assault led Dickerson-Neal to drop out of college, forsaking her aspirations in the music industry.
Filed under the New York Adult Survivors Act, the lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, utilizing a legal provision allowing victims of sexual abuse a one-year window to file a civil lawsuit, even after the statute of limitations has expired.
Dickerson-Neal’s decision to step forward was reportedly inspired by Cassie, Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, who filed a federal lawsuit against him, alleging rape and a decade-long pattern of abuse, settling the case swiftly after filing.
Dickerson-Neal’s court documents detail her emotional trauma, recounting the challenges she faced, including social isolation, clinical depression, and professional setbacks, all allegedly stemming from the assault.
Despite reporting the incident to authorities in New York and New Jersey, investigations faltered due to the lack of witnesses and the industry's reluctance to speak out against Combs.
Combs' lawyer, Ben Brafman, has yet to issue a statement regarding the recent lawsuit.
Dickerson-Neal remains resolute in her pursuit of justice, confident in her ability to substantiate her claims through witness testimonies, aiming to shed light on the emotional distress inflicted upon her.
