Former Making the Band contestant Sara Rivers, previously Sara Stokes, has filed a $60 million sexual assault and harassment lawsuit in opposition to Diddy.
Diddy Faces New Lawsuit From Former Da Band Member
Filed on Feb. 28, the 148-page lawsuit lists over 20 defendants, together with UMG, Viacom, Diddy’s mom Janice Combs, MTV and others. It accuses the music mogul of constructing Rivers work beneath “inhumane” situations throughout her time on the present. The criticism additionally mentions a selected incident the place Diddy allegedly backed Rivers in opposition to a wall and commenced kissing her with out her consent whereas asking her “if she’s okay and if she wanted something in any respect.”
Rivers additionally mentions being consistently criticized by Diddy about her look and group members being threatened with violence by the Unhealthy Boy Leisure founder. She additionally claims she was pressured into signing a publishing contract that paid her a flat payment of $25,000. Rivers, then Sara Stokes, was a part of the filming of three seasons of the MTV actuality present Making the Band from 2002-2004, the place she was within the hip-hop group Da Band.
Diddy’s authorized workforce responded to the latest allegations in a press release to Individuals journal.
“That is yet one more instance of false claims being filed in opposition to Mr. Combs,” the assertion reads. “Regardless of what number of lawsuits are filed, it gained’t change the truth that Mr. Combs has by no means sexually assaulted or intercourse trafficked anybody—man or lady, grownup or minor. We reside in a world the place anybody can file a lawsuit for any motive. With the deadline for New York’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act expiring tomorrow, it’s clear that opportunists are dashing to file last-minute, meritless claims. Mr. Combs stays assured he’ll prevail in court docket.”
Rivers is looking for a mixed $60 million in punitive and compensatory damages. She is asking for a trial by jury.
She joins a really lengthy checklist of people that have sued Diddy in civil court docket for sexual assault and rape. Puff can be coping with a legal case, the place he’s being charged with intercourse trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to interact in prostitution. His legal trial is slated to begin on Could 7, 2025.
XXL has reached out to Diddy’s workforce for remark.
