Current:Home > FinanceYe accused of drugging, sexually assaulting ex-assistant at Diddy session -BrightFuture Investments
Ye accused of drugging, sexually assaulting ex-assistant at Diddy session
View
Date:2025-04-15 18:35:40
Ye is facing new allegations from his former assistant, who claims he drugged and sexually assaulted her.
In an amended complaint filed in California and obtained by USA TODAY, Kanye West's former assistant Lauren Pisciotta alleged the rapper "touched, groped, fondled, grabbed and forced himself in and on" her on multiple occasions without her consent. The latest filing came after Pisciotta previously sued Ye for sexual harassment, wrongful termination and breach of contract earlier this year.
USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Ye for comment.
In a statement provided to Rolling Stone in June, a legal representative for the rapper accused Pisciotta of "blackmail and extortion" and claimed she was "terminated for being unqualified, demanding unreasonable sums of money (including a $4 million annual salary) and numerous documented incidents of her lascivious, unhinged conduct," adding that Pisciotta "consistently used sexual coercion in an attempt to demand not only money but material items."
In the filing, Pisciotta detailed one incident of alleged sexual assault she said occurred before she started working for Ye, when the rapper invited her to attend a studio session he co-hosted with Sean "Diddy" Combs. The complaint alleged Pisciotta was served with a drink laced with an unidentified drug, which caused her to slip into a "heavily impaired state." Pisciotta said she woke up the next day with no memory of what happened.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
New Kanye West lawsuit:Ye accused of 'spreading antisemitism' at Donda Academy
According to the complaint, Pisciotta initially had "no reason to believe she was touched inappropriately or sexually assaulted," and she did not suspect that Ye had drugged her. However, she alleged that years later, Ye mentioned to her that they "hooked up" that evening, leading her to realize she was "in fact drugged and sexually assaulted" by him.
"She could not stomach the fact that she worked for the man who had sexually assaulted her against her will while she was drugged, who then successfully lured her back into his orbit by way of a job opportunity to sexually assault her all over again," the complaint said, adding that Pisciotta feared Ye would retaliate against her if she spoke up.
Ye sued by former employee:John Doe says he was asked to investigate Kim Kardashian, 'tail' Bianca Censori
In another incident alleged to have occurred during a work trip in July 2021, Pisciotta claimed Ye forced his way into her hotel room, saying he needed to use her shower because his wasn't working. Once inside, the rapper allegedly approached Pisciotta, dropped his towel, and "aggressively moved and pushed (Pisciotta) from the chair she was sitting in over to the bed and pushed her down." He then "attempted to forcefully thrust his naked body onto and penis into (Pisciotta's) face" while she pleaded with him to stop, the complaint alleged.
"(Pisciotta) was very clearly unwilling, non-consenting and visually upset at Kanye West a.k.a Ye for the battery, gender violence and sexual assault," the lawsuit said.
Pisciotta also accused Ye of subjecting her to "constant" sexual harassment throughout her employment, despite her making clear she was not interested in him, and provided numerous sexually explicit text messages allegedly sent by the rapper as evidence. Being forced to dodge his "unwanted sexual advances, sexual assault, continuous sexual harassment," and the revelation that Ye allegedly "sexually assaulted her while she was drugged" led Pisciotta to suffer from "severe anxiety, depression and overwhelming PTSD," the lawsuit said. Pisciotta alleged Ye wrongfully terminated her in 2022 in "retaliation for her complaints and refusal to have sex with" him.
This was the latest legal issue for Ye, who last week faced a lawsuit from a former employee who accused him of infliction of emotional distress, labor code violations and retaliation. That lawsuit claimed the former employee was asked to investigate Ye's ex-wife Kim Kardashian and hire private investigators to spy on his spouse Bianca Censori. It additionally alleged that Ye threatened to kill the former employee, identified as John Doe.
"Our client is so fearful of Ye and his erratic, disturbing and unpredictable behavior that he wishes to remain anonymous for his own safety," Doe's attorneys said. "It's not only illegal but unconscionable that an employer would threaten any employee with bodily harm or death."
Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
veryGood! (2)
Related
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione may have suffered from spondylolisthesis. What is it?
- How Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen Navigate Their Private Romance on Their Turf
- Elon Musk just gave Nvidia investors one billion reasons to cheer for reported partnership
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- Hougang murder: Victim was mum of 3, moved to Singapore to provide for family
- Dick Van Dyke credits neighbors with saving his life and home during Malibu fire
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Man who jumped a desk to attack a Nevada judge in the courtroom is sentenced
Ranking
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Dick Van Dyke credits neighbors with saving his life and home during Malibu fire
- PACCAR recalls over 220,000 trucks for safety system issue: See affected models
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Hougang murder: Victim was mum of 3, moved to Singapore to provide for family
- GM to retreat from robotaxis and stop funding its Cruise autonomous vehicle unit
- 'Squirrel stuck in a tree' tops funniest wildlife photos of the year: See the pictures
Recommendation
The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
How to watch the Geminid meteor shower this weekend
Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
Austin Tice's parents reveal how the family coped for the last 12 years
Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
10 cars with 10 cylinders: The best V
Timothée Chalamet makes an electric Bob Dylan: 'A Complete Unknown' review
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast