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Who is April Lampros, the latest to sue Sean “Diddy” Combs for sexual assault?
Just a couple of days after Crystal McKinney accused Combs of drugging and sexual assaulting her, another case has been brought by Tyrone Blackburn.
April Lampros has come forward with a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging multiple instances of sexual assault spanning from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. The complaint, filed in New York and obtained by CNN, includes accusations of battery, assault, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and violation of the victims of gender-motivated violence protection law.
Lampros is the eighth person to file a lawsuit against Combs since November, and her case marks the seventh direct accusation of sexual assault against the rap artist. In her statement, Lampros expressed her determination to seek justice.
“I’m confident that justice will prevail and the veil will be removed so no other woman will have to endure what I did,” she said.
What is the lawsuit against Diddy by Lampros?
Lampros’ lawsuit details a pattern of alleged abuse beginning in 1995 when she met Combs the year before as a student. She had aspirations in the fashion industry, and Combs promised to mentor her and help her find work. However, the suit claims these promises quickly turned into an abusive relationship. Lampros describes an incident in 1995 where Combs allegedly raped her in a hotel after pressuring her to drink. Another incident involved Combs demanding she perform oral sex in a parking garage while a parking attendant watched.
“What Mr. Combs displayed as kind gestures quickly manifested into an aggressive, coercive, and abusive relationship based on sex.”
The lawsuit alleges that Combs used threats and violence to maintain control over Lampros, leveraging his power to intimidate her into compliance. One particularly harrowing account describes an evening in 1996 where Combs forced Lampros and another woman to take ecstasy and engage in sexual activities against their will.
Lampros claims that the abuse continued sporadically until around 2001, and she has since suffered lasting physical and emotional trauma. Recently, she learned that Combs had allegedly recorded their sexual encounters without her consent and shared the footage with others.
“Mr. Combs would also threaten to blacklist her in the industry if she tried to mess with him in any way. Ms. Lampros’ dreams and everything she’s been working hard for were in the palm of his hands.”
The lawsuit also names Bad Boy Records, Arista Records, and Sony Music Entertainment as defendants, accusing them of enabling the abuse by placing Combs in a position of power and failing to protect Lampros.
This new legal action follows a series of similar accusations against Combs, including the recent lawsuit by former model Crystal McKinney and previous allegations from his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. Combs is also under federal investigation by the Department of Homeland Security for human trafficking crimes.
Combs’ attorney, Aaron Dyer, has maintained his client’s innocence, asserting that Combs will continue to fight to clear his name. CNN reportedly reached out to Combs’ representatives for comment, but they have not yet responded.