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Cassie v. Diddy and New York’s Adult Survivors Act

Unveiling Legal Dynamics: Cassie v. Diddy and New York's Adult Survivors Act

What do former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Former President Donald Trump, Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, current Mayor Eric Adams, Tom Cruise, and Diddy have in common? Each one of these celebrities was hit with a lawsuit seeking millions of dollars in damages very shortly before the 1 year the Adult Survivors Act (ASA) statute came to a sharp close.

New York has been at the forefront of legal initiatives aimed at addressing issues of sexual abuse and providing justice for survivors. One significant development is the ASA, a groundbreaking law that extends the statute of limitations for survivors of sexual abuse to seek justice. The ASA was signed into law in New York on May 24, 2022. The ASA created a one-year “lookback window” for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file claims otherwise barred by the statute of limitations, recognizing the often complex and delayed nature of trauma has on people and the struggle they face with making disclosure. The expansion of the statute of limitations was raised to 20 years for survivors of sexual abuse for a 1 year window to file suit from November 24, 2022 until November 24, 2023. This landmark legislation empowered survivors by providing them with a legal avenue to seek justice and hold their abusers accountable well after the time frame ordinarily permitted. Over 1,500 claims were filed against the State of New York by women that were incarcerated.

New York was not the only state to create a lookback window. New Jersey saw over 1,000 victims filed civil suits once a lookback window was allowed.

The Cassie vs. Diddy Case:

On November 17, 2023, the media spotlighted a legal case involving Sean “Diddy” Combs and his longtime ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. According to Cassie’s lawsuit, Diddy signed her to his label, Bad Boy Records in 2006 as one of his recording artists and became his girlfriend shortly after.

On November 17, 2023, on the sunset before the lookback window closed under the ASA, Cassie filed a lawsuit against Diddy under the ASA seeking 30 million dollars, alleging wild instances of sexual abuse against Diddy during their 7-year relationship. Not only did Cassie sue Diddy personally, she also sued his companies, Bad Boy Entertainment, that Cassie performed under, Epic Records and Combs Enterprises.

Some of the sensational allegations Cassie brought against Diddy included sex trafficking, human trafficking, and sexual assault, to name a few. This case exemplified the impact of the ASA, allowing survivors to come forward and pursue legal action against their alleged abusers. In response to the suit, Diddy publicly denied Cassie’s allegation and refuted them as extortionary and claims to wish Cassie and her family all the best.

Remarkably, no less than 24 hours after Cassie filed her suit under the ASA’s ticking clock, it was announced Diddy settled Cassie’s suit within approximately 24 hours of the date she filed it. Following the settlement, Diddy released a statement emphasizing that the decision to settle is not an admission of wrongdoing.

The very next day after Diddy settled with Cassie, it was announced that 2 more women filed suit against Diddy also utilizing the ASA for claims of sexual abuse. In one instance, Dickerson-Neal v. Diddy, the allegations stemmed from sexual assault while she was a college student in 1991, according to the complaint. In the third suit, Jane Doe v. Diddy, she alleges that Diddy and singer-songwriter Aaron Hall sexually abused her in our around 1990 or 1991. In a time when email and text message did not exist, it is easy to imagine the challenges these women faced (and their lawyers) when bringing claims under the ASA this far back.

Implications under NYCHRL:

In addition to the Adult Survivors Act, survivors in New York City are further protected by the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). The NYCHRL prohibits sexual harassment and discrimination, providing survivors with avenues to seek justice beyond the criminal justice system. In Cassie’s case, the NYCHRL may have played a pivotal role in addressing the alleged abuse and ensured a comprehensive legal response.

What to Know:

1. Extended Statute of Limitations:

The ASA extends the statute of limitations for survivors of sexual abuse, recognizing the unique challenges survivors face in coming forward and seeking justice.

2. Legal Recourse under NYCHRL:

The NYCHRL reinforces survivors’ rights by prohibiting sexual harassment and discrimination, offering an additional layer of legal protection beyond criminal proceedings.

3. Empowering Survivors:

The combination of the ASA and the NYCHRL empowers survivors to pursue legal action, fostering an environment that encourages disclosure and accountability.

4. Importance of Legal Counsel:

Survivors navigating the legal landscape should seek experienced legal counsel to guide them through the complexities of the Adult Survivors Act and the NYCHRL.

The recent cases involving Diddy, Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, Eric Adams, Jamie Foxx and Gov. Cuomo serves as a notable example of the legal implications of the ASA and underscores the importance of understanding the role of the NYCHRL in addressing instances of sexual harassment and discrimination. As the legal landscape evolves, it is crucial to stay informed and support survivors in their journey towards justice and healing.

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