Dawn Richard, who was a member of two of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ bands, was “absolutely terrified” of the music mogul, according to her lawyer Lisa Bloom.
Richard sued Combs in September, alleging he sexually assaulted her. She also alleged that she witnessed him physically assault his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Combs is currently being held at the Metropolitan Prison in Brooklyn on charges related to sex trafficking, racketeering and prostitution. His lawyers tried for the third time to release him on bail on Friday, November 22, and a decision is expected next week.
In an interview with the BBC’s Newsnight broadcast on Thursday, November 21, Bloom said Richard claimed that Combs “groped and grabbed parts of her body, sexually assaulted her, that not only did he not pay her the money that he promised her, but actually prevented her from eating and sleeping during those years – he just treated her terribly.”
The lawyer added that Richard saw Combs’ alleged “severe acts of violence” against Ventura and the other women.
Combs denied Richard’s claims. His attorney Erica Wolff said in a statement to PEOPLE that he is “shocked and disappointed by the lawsuit,” claiming that Richard “made up a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a payday.”
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Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Steve Granitz/WireImage
When Richard tried to confront Combs about it, “they threatened her with more physical violence,” Bloom continued. “She said Sean Combs had a bad temper and she was absolutely terrified of him… [it was] just a really violent, violent atmosphere.”
Bloom told the newspaper that she is representing another person making allegations against Combs regarding his “wacky” parties, where he allegedly orchestrated sexual acts with sex workers.
“Many other people have already come forward with allegations that people were drugged, forced into sexual activity in order to have business deals with Sean Combs,” the attorney continued.
Timeline of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sexual assault allegations and arrest
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Dawn Richard, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
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Richard was a member of Combs’ girl group Danity Kane, which was formed through MTV’s reality competition series Creating a band 2005. She and Combs later joined Kalenna Harper to form the musical trio Diddy Dirty Money in 2010. The band disbanded two years later.
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(L-R) Kalenna Harper, Dawn Richard, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic, John Shearer/Getty, Paras Griffin/Getty
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The Bad Boy Records founder also denied allegations of witness tampering regarding Harper, with Wolff noting that her statement was simply “two witnesses who have different recollections of similar events.
PEOPLE has reached out to Bloom and a rep for Combs for comment.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the crisis line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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