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In the federal trial of Sean Diddy Combs, charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and related offenses, singer Dawn Richard's testimony has emerged as a significant contribution to the prosecution's case. On May 19, 2025, Richard, a former member of Danity Kane and Diddy-Dirty Money, took the stand to recount multiple instances of alleged abuse she witnessed during her time working closely with Combs.
Richard testified that she frequently observed Combs physically assault his then- girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. One particularly harrowing incident she described occurred in 2009, when Combs allegedly struck Ventura with a skillet, dragged her upstairs, and later threatened both women, stating, you could go missing, that we could die . Another episode recounted by Richard involved Combs punching Ventura during a dinner attended by industry figures such as Usher, Ne-Yo, and Jimmy Iovine .
Beyond witnessing abuse, Richard claimed that Combs created a hostile working environment. She alleged that he subjected her to verbal abuse, forced her to work under grueling conditions with insufficient food and sleep, and once locked her in a vehicle for hours . Richard also noted that members of Combs's staff, including bodyguards, witnessed the violence but failed to intervene .
During cross-examination, Combs's defense team challenged Richard's credibility, highlighting inconsistencies between her courtroom testimony and previous statements to prosecutors . Despite this, Richard stood by her accounts, emphasizing the fear and intimidation she experienced, which she claimed prevented her from speaking out earlier.
Richard's testimony aligns with that of other witnesses, including Cassie Ventura and Kerry Morgan, who have described a pattern of abuse and coercion by Combs. These accounts collectively aim to establish a narrative of Combs exerting control over women through violence, threats, and manipulation.
In a statement following her testimony, Richard expressed hope that her actions would empower other survivors to come forward. I hope that my testimony has given strength and a voice to other survivors, and can help others who have suffered to speak up and also heal from abuse and fear, she said.