Former model Crystal McKinney files federal lawsuit against both Harvey Weinstein and Sean “Diddy” Combs for separate sexual assaults that allegedly occurred in 2003, claiming the traumatic experiences led to depression and a suicide attempt.
Key Takeaways
- Crystal McKinney has sued Harvey Weinstein in Manhattan Federal Court, alleging he sexually assaulted her and a friend in 2003 after luring them to his hotel room under false pretenses.
- McKinney previously filed a separate lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, claiming he also sexually assaulted her that same year.
- Both Weinstein and Combs have categorically denied the allegations through their legal representatives.
- The lawsuit details that McKinney attempted suicide in 2004 following depression stemming from these alleged assaults.
- Attorneys for both accused men suggest the timing of McKinney’s complaints is suspicious and opportunistic.
Model Alleges Deceptive Meeting Turned Violent
According to court documents filed in Manhattan Federal Court, Crystal McKinney claims Harvey Weinstein and his associates orchestrated a meeting under false pretenses in 2003. An unnamed modeling agency executive allegedly arranged what was presented as a professional meeting to discuss potential acting roles. However, the situation quickly changed when Weinstein insisted on moving the meeting from a public lounge to his private hotel room, where McKinney and her friend found themselves isolated with the powerful Hollywood producer.
The lawsuit details how Weinstein allegedly ordered multiple bottles of alcohol once they arrived at the hotel room. McKinney claims that after plying them with drinks, Weinstein became aggressive, grabbing her chest and ripping her top before forcing both women into the bathroom where he directed them to engage in sexual acts while he watched. After the alleged assault, Weinstein abruptly left the room. When the women tried to complain, Weinstein’s assistant reportedly called the hotel room and instructed them to leave without addressing their concerns.
Legal Teams Respond with Strong Denials
Weinstein’s attorney, Imran H. Ansari, has issued a forceful denial of McKinney’s claims. “Harvey Weinstein categorically denies the outlandish and fantastical claims made against him by Crystal McKinney in her complaint,” said Imran H. Ansari, Weinstein’s attorney.
Ansari further questioned the timing of McKinney’s allegations against Weinstein, which came shortly after her lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs. “Made late in time and suspiciously on the heels of her complaint against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Mr. Weinstein is ready to refute and defend against the salacious claims, that are believed to have been made with an opportunistic motive,” said Imran H. Ansari, Weinstein’s attorney.
Second Lawsuit Targets Sean “Diddy” Combs
The lawsuit against Weinstein is not McKinney’s only legal action against a powerful entertainment figure. In May, she filed a separate lawsuit against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging he sexually assaulted her in 2003 after a night of drinking and smoking at his studio. McKinney claims the substances were laced with other drugs, impairing her ability to consent. This pattern of allegations against multiple high-profile entertainment figures has raised questions about the culture of exploitation that may have pervaded the industry.
“No matter how many lawsuits are filed — especially by individuals who refuse to put their own names behind their claims — it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone — man or woman, adult or minor,” said Bad Boy Records founder’s legal team.
McKinney’s lawsuit reveals the devastating personal toll these alleged assaults took on her life. Court documents state that following the traumatic experiences with both men, she suffered severe depression that ultimately led to a suicide attempt in 2004. McKinney is seeking unspecified damages for the emotional distress, psychological harm, and career opportunities lost as a result of these alleged incidents. Her case represents yet another chapter in the ongoing reckoning with sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry that began with the #MeToo movement.
