A woman has sued music star Sean “Diddy” Combs, claiming he drugged and sexually assaulted her in 1991 when she was a college student. She filed the lawsuit in New York right before the deadline of the Adult Survivors Act, which lets adults sue for sexual assault no matter how long ago it happened.
The lawsuit says that in January 1991, Joie Dickerson-Neal, a psychology student at Syracuse University, went to dinner with Combs in Harlem and then to a music studio. She alleges Combs drugged her, making her unable to walk or resist, and then sexually assaulted her while recording it without her knowing. A few days later, DeVanté Swing, from the ’90s R&B group Jodeci, told her he saw a sex tape of her and Combs.
Dickerson-Neal’s life fell apart after this. She ended up in the hospital for depression, dropped out of college, and struggled with her mental health and career. She didn’t initially report the assault because she was confused and ashamed but later filed police reports in New York and New Jersey. She also tried to find the recorded video.
Years later, while working in the music industry, she confronted Combs at a party. He denied the assault. Dickerson-Neal eventually left the industry and moved to California. She decided to sue Combs after hearing about another lawsuit against him by singer Cassie.
Sean Combs HeadshotIMAGE COURTESY OF COMBS GLOBAL
Her lawsuit names Combs and his companies as defendants and accuses him of assault, emotional distress, sex trafficking, and revenge porn. She’s seeking damages for her mental and emotional pain. Her lawyers say this lawsuit is about seeking justice and holding Combs accountable, regardless of his wealth and fame.
