A wave of sexual assault lawsuits has been filed against prominent figures in the entertainment industry under the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for filing complaints. As the act approaches its expiration, survivors are seeking justice for alleged abuses that took place years ago.
A number of high-profile men, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jamie Foxx, Axl Rose, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terry Richardson, and L.A. Reid, have recently been hit with sexual assault lawsuits. These lawsuits have been filed under the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law that allows survivors of sexual assault one year to file suits against their alleged abusers, regardless of when the abuse occurred. With the act set to expire, survivors are rushing to seek justice for the abuses they endured as adults.
The Expired Act and Last-Minute Complaints:
As the Adult Survivors Act nears its expiration, survivors have been filing last-minute complaints and summonses to hold their alleged abusers accountable. On Wednesday alone, Axl Rose, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Jamie Foxx were hit with lawsuits filed under the act. Sean “Diddy” Combs was also accused of sexual assault in a last-minute filing on Thursday.
Prominent Figures Facing Lawsuits:
A former Penthouse model, Sheila Kennedy, filed a lawsuit against Axl Rose, alleging that he attacked and raped her in a New York hotel room in 1989. Cuba Gooding Jr. faced two separate lawsuits, one in 2018 and one in 2019, both alleging sexual assault and battery. Jamie Foxx was accused of sexual assault in an incident that allegedly took place at a New York bar in 2015. Foxx’s spokesperson denied the allegations, stating that a similar lawsuit had been dismissed in 2020.
Impact of the Adult Survivors Act:
Over the past year, more than 2,500 lawsuits tied to the Adult Survivors Act have been filed, with the majority involving abuse in state prisons and local jails. However, lawsuits against public figures have garnered the most attention. Disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, Russell Brand, former President Donald Trump, and Jeffrey Epstein’s estate have all faced lawsuits under the act.
Cassie’s Accusations Against Sean “Diddy” Combs:
In a bombshell revelation, Cassie accused her former partner Sean “Diddy” Combs of sustained physical and sexual abuse during their relationship. Cassie, who signed to Combs’s record label when she was 19, alleged that Combs introduced her to a lifestyle of excessive alcohol and substance abuse, beat her, forced her into sex acts with male sex workers, and raped her when she tried to leave. Combs settled the lawsuit with Cassie one day after it was filed.
Further Allegations Against Bad Boy Records:
Following Cassie’s accusations, Harve Pierre, the former president of Bad Boy Records, was accused of grooming and sexually assaulting his assistant. The lawsuit claims that Pierre used his position of authority to exploit and assault the individual on multiple occasions between 2016 and 2017. Bad Boy Entertainment, Bad Boy Records, and Combs Enterprises were also named as co-defendants.
Last-Minute Allegations Against Sean “Diddy” Combs:
Just hours before the Adult Survivors Act was set to expire, Combs faced another sexual assault complaint for an alleged date rape in 1991. The plaintiff claimed that Combs had filmed the assault and shared it with others. Combs’s spokesperson dismissed the allegations as “made up” and “not credible,” calling it a money grab.
Conclusion:
As the Adult Survivors Act approaches its expiration, a wave of sexual assault lawsuits has emerged, targeting high-profile figures in the entertainment industry. These cases highlight the importance of providing survivors with a legal avenue to seek justice, even for abuses that occurred years ago. The expiration of the act raises questions about the future of these lawsuits and the ongoing battle against sexual assault.
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