March 01, (THEWILL) – A US court has ordered a woman who is suing rapper and businessman, Sean Combs, aka Diddy, for alleged sexual assault to reveal her identity.
Last December, a certain Jane Doe — not her real name — alleged that she was sex trafficked and gang raped by Diddy, Harve Pierre, a former Bad Boy Records president, and another man.
She alleged that the incident occurred in 2003 when she was 17.
She claimed she was given copious amounts of drugs and alcohol before Diddy and the other men took turns raping her in a bathroom.
Diddy, however, denied the allegations, saying, “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged, I will fight for my name and the truth.”
Last week, the rapper filed his response to the lawsuit, arguing that Jane Doe’s allegations are fictional and violate his constitutional right to due process.
Diddy’s lawyers argued that they will suffer prejudice as a result of Jane Doe proceeding anonymously while their identities have been revealed.
Jane Doe, on the other hand, argued that the media attention she would face would result in fresh trauma.
But on Thursday, Jessica G. L. Clarke, a federal judge, said disclosing the accuser’s identity could have a significant impact on her due to the graphic and disturbing allegations in the case.
The judge, however, said Jane Doe had failed to prove that she could proceed anonymously and must reveal her identity as the case progresses.
The court ruled in favour of Diddy’s argument, stating that no particularised harm or current vulnerabilities would necessitate such special status for her.
“Although this case involves highly sensitive allegations and Jane Doe has not publicly revealed her identity, all other factors weigh against the plaintiff’s motion should this case survive the defendants’ dispositive motions,” the judge wrote.
“While the court does not take the plaintiff’s concerns lightly, the court cannot rely on generalised, uncorroborated claims that disclosure would harm the plaintiff to justify her anonymity.”
Diddy has been accused of sexual assault by three other women, including Cassandra Ventura aka Cassie, his ex-girlfriend.
Following several allegations, the rapper stepped aside from his role as chairman at Revolt, his TV network.
Earlier this week, Rodney Jones, Diddy’s former producer, filed a lawsuit alleging that the rapper sexually harassed, drugged, and threatened him for over a year.
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