Singer Dawn Richard returned to the witness stand Monday at music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex-trafficking trial — the latest twist in the pair’s association that goes back two decades.
Richard, 41, is a former member in the Combs-created girl group Danity Kane, which formed in 2004 and was signed to his Bad Boy Records label.
But Richard later said that she was both a victim and witness to Combs’ alleged abuse.
Dawn Richard testifying at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trail on May 19, 2025. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg
Richard arriving at federal court in Manhattan for Combs’ trial on May 19, 2025. REUTERSShe testified during Combs’ ongoing Manhattan trial that he would “frequently” be violent with his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura between 2009 and 2011 when Richard was part of the trio Diddy Dirty Money with Combs and fellow singer Kalenna Harper.
Richard told jurors that she saw Combs punch Ventura in the stomach during a 2010 outing in a West Hollywood restaurant, where singers Usher and Ne-Yo and hotshot music exec Jimmy Iovine were also present.
Richard pointing at Combs during her testimony on May 19. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg
Dawn Richard, 41, is a former member in the Sean “Diddy” Combs-created girl group Danity Kane, which formed in 2004 and was signed to his Bad Boy Records. Getty Images for MTVOn Friday, she detailed a disturbing incident in which she testified she saw Combs charge at Ventura with a skillet and knock her to the floor.
Combs locked Richard and other artists in a recording studio the following day and threatened them, she claimed.
Follow the latest on Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ federal sex-trafficking trial:
- Diddy acquitted on top charges in bombshell sex-trafficking case — found guilty only of prostitution
- Diddy trial is ‘most expensive prostitution trial in American history’: expert
- Diddy trial live updates: Combs falls to his knees in prayer, cheers erupt in courtroom, fans celebrate outside as mogul acquitted on top charges
- Failure to sequester Diddy trial jury was a mistake, legal expert argues
But Combs’ defense attorney Nicole Westmoreland tried to pick apart Richard’s accusations Monday, zeroing in on inconsistencies in what she told prosecutors and her testimony.
Richard outside of federal court on May 16, 2025. REUTERS/David 'Dee' DelgadoRichard, who participated in Combs’ 2004 MTV show “Making The Band,” filed a sexual assault suit against the rapper in September alleging he once “broke into her dressing room and groped her breasts and butt.”
Another time he invited her to his Miami home and welcomed her wearing nothing but his underwear, according to her suit.
Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges that carry up to life in prison, if convicted.






