Crystal McKinney, a former model, has come forward with sexual assault allegations against Sean "Diddy" Combs. In the lawsuit filed in New York federal court, McKinney alleges that in 2003, when she was 22 years old, Combs drugged her and sexually assaulted her at his New York City studio. McKinney says that a designer introduced her to Combs, and that they met at a restaurant in New York City, where Combs "made a very public display of coming on to [her] in a sexually suggestive manner which continued throughout the dinner," reported People.
McKinney also alleges that Combs said "he had power in the industry and was going to help her advance her career." He also "repeatedly refilled her glass with wine," according to the court documents.
Although Diddy allegedly said he would help her with her modeling career, she claims that he later had her "'blackballed' in the industry and utilized his significant influence to impede [her] career growth," reported CBS.
This resulted in her blaming herself and struggling with her mental health, according to the lawsuit.
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After they had dinner together, McKinney said Combs offered her marijuana while they were at his studio with several other men. McKinney alleged that Combs said "you've never had weed like this before," leading her to belief that the marijuana was laced with other drugs, reported CBS.
At some point, she didn't want to drink or smoke anymore because she felt like she was "floating," as per People. However, the lawsuit states that "Combs pressured her to imbibe more alcohol and marijuana by telling her that she was acting too uptight."
He then allegedly led her into the bathroom and forced himself on her, kissing her without her consent and forcing her to perform oral sex on him, according to CBS.
She alleges that she later felt sick and "lost consciousness," then woke up in a cab.
McKinney's lawsuit comes shortly after CNN shared security footage of Combs attacking Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016.
USA Today reported that McKinney decided to come forward because of the “moral obligation” she felt as a “woman of faith.”
According to the lawsuit, she “prayed to God before bringing this lawsuit, as she feared further violence and/or retaliation from Defendant Combs, but ultimately decided that she needed to speak her truth,” reported USA Today.
Though Combs allegedly assaulted McKinney in 2003, the lawsuit was filed under the NYC Gender Motivated Violence Act, which allows sexual assault survivors to sue regardless of when the gender-based violence occurred, reported CBS.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, the National Sexual Assault Hotline provides confidential 24/7 support. Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online at RAINN.
