Diddy Hit with new lawsuit for sexual harassment from the 1990s

Sean “Diddy” Combs

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Another sexual assault lawsuit was filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs this week, the latest in a series of lawsuits from a woman who claims the embattled rapper and fashion mogul sexually harassed, abused and sex-motivatedly assaulted her over several years during the early days of his fame in the 1990s.

April Lampros claims in the lawsuit filed in New York on Thursday that she experienced several “horrific sexual encounters” with Combs. She met him in 1994 when she was 21 and studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. According to the lawsuit, Lampros, 51, was showered with gifts by the rapper and allegedly promised to help her have a successful career in the fashion industry.

But Lampros says Combs began abusing and coercing her in 1995. On one occasion, she says, she woke up “naked, sore and confused” in a Manhattan hotel room after Combs allegedly raped her. In another incident, Combs forced Lampros to perform oral sex on him in a parking garage in front of staff; the following year, Combs allegedly forced the drug Ecstasy down her and his girlfriend Kim Porter’s throats and then forced the two to have sex in front of him.

“Ms. Lampros vociferously opposed this idea, but Mr. Combs quickly reminded her that she had no control over the situation as it could cause her to lose her job,” the lawsuit states.

The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Combs’ attorneys and representative but did not receive an immediate response Friday.

Combs’ legal troubles have deepened after he settled a lawsuit filed by singer Cassie Ventura, his ex-girlfriend, who accused him of years of abuse and sexual harassment. The rapper and fashion mogul has denied all allegations of wrongdoing in that case, as well as others made against him, including those in a controversial lawsuit filed by producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones accusing Combs of sex trafficking and sexual harassment. Since that lawsuit was filed, several women have come forward with similar allegations of abuse, harassment and rape against the nearly billionaire pillar of the rap world and founder of fashion and lifestyle brand Sean John.

Last week, CNN released video of Combs physically attacking Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. The harrowing footage, which shows Combs mercilessly throwing Ventura to the ground, punching, kicking and ripping her out of her sweatshirt, prompted him to share an apology video on social media.

“It’s so hard to reflect on the darkest times in life, but sometimes you have to,” Diddy said on Instagram. “I was devastated – I was devastated – but I’m not making any excuses. My behavior in that video is inexcusable.”

“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” Combs added. “I was disgusted when I did it. I still am today. I sought professional help. I went to therapy, rehab. I had to ask God for his grace and mercy. I am so sorry. But I am committed to being a better person every day. I am not asking for forgiveness. I am truly sorry.”