A photographer is accusing music producer Damon Dash, who co-founded Roc-A-Fella records with Jay-Z and Kareem “Biggs” Burke, of sexually assaulting her in a $50 million lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court Thursday.
In the complaint obtained by TheWrap, Monique Bunn, a photographer known for her work shooting hip-hop artists, says that Dash hired her in April to do a photo shoot for his fashion company, Poppington, in association with his Damon Dash Studios.
On April 18, after the first day of shooting, Bunn says she went back to the shared residence of Dash and his partner Raquel Horn. “Upon arriving at the Dash residence, Bunn was informed that she was staying in Dash’s daughter’s room,” according to the filing.
Later that night, Bunn says she was woken up by Dash, who had “placed his hand on Bunn’s breasts” and other areas of her body.
“While Bunn was sleeping, Dash approached Bunn and placed his hand on Bunn’s breasts and placed hands/fingers on Bunn’s buttocks. Dash did not have the permission or consent to touch Bunn’s sexual organs,” the filing states. “Dash was wearing a robe and had no underwear on. Dash had been drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana all day.”
A rep for Dash did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Bunn’s attorney, Christopher Brown, said that “Ms. Bunn looks forward to having a jury decide the litigation” in a statement to TheWrap Thursday.
The complaint continues that “Bunn was able to get Dash’s hands off her breasts and buttocks,” and that Bunn told Dash that she would “fight” him. Dash then left the room. Bunn says remained in Dash’s house and “did not sleep that evening.”
Bunn also accuses Dash of falsely claiming that he had “a deal with WETV” to make a docuseries based around Bunn’s life in order to “keep Bunn silent” about the assault.
Horn is also named in the complaint, along with Dash, Poppington LLC and Damon Dash Studios, who she together accuses of theft by conversion and negligent emotional distress.
Bunn says that several of her belongings were never returned to her after the shoot, including photographs of celebrities including Mary J. Blige, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Mase, Quincy Jones, Teddy Riley, Lil Kim, The Fugees, Missy Elliot, Xscape, Lenny Kravitz, Lyor Cohen, Russell Simmons, Lauryn Hill, KRS One, Outkast, LL Cool J, Q-Tip, The Beatles and President George Bush.