Diplo accused of distributing revenge porn in LA police report
The US DJ claims that accusations are part of a “smear campaign” against him
WARNING: This article includes accounts and imagery of sexual and domestic violence and may be distressing for some readers. Resources for support are listed at the end of this article
The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office is currently conducting a review of a newly surfaced allegation claiming that Diplo distributed naked photos of a woman without her permission.
Pitchfork reported that the US DJ is accused by a California woman, Shelly Auguste, of distributing revenge porn for a second time after filing an initial case in 2020.
The accuser filed a report with the Los Angeles Police Department against Diplo in August, and has since claimed that the case has been “thoroughly investigated, verified, and submitted to the LA prosecutors.”
Auguste also alleged that she has been granted a temporary restraining order from Diplo, real name Thomas Wesley Pentz, after filing a report.
This is the second time that Auguste has accused Pentz of distributing revenge porn. The first accusation was dropped, and Diplo was not criminally charged.
Auguste has been involved in a legal battle with Pentz since 2020, and is already suing the artist for gender-based violence, sexual battery, and fraud, according to Pitchfork.
Other accusations against the DJ include intentional intrusion into private affairs, assault, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violation of two civil rights acts. A civil trial is scheduled to take place in April 2024.
Auguste claimed on Twitter that she was first contacted by Pentz when she was 17 years old, and he was 35 to 36. She also alleged that he gave her a sexually transmitted infection, which he has since denied.
Pentz is now suing Auguste for stalking, trespassing, and distributing private materials, Pitchfork reports. He has denied accusations made by Auguste, claiming that they’re part of a smear campaign against him.
The lawsuit, which was filed in 2021, claims that Auguste made “relentless efforts to communicate with him” after their relationship ended through fake social media accounts, and alleges that Auguste is “dangerously unstable”.
“For more than three years, Shelly Auguste has been orchestrating an ongoing smear campaign against Wes—and this is just more of the same,” Pentz’s attorney, Bryan J. Freedman, told Pitchfork.
“Now, Ms. Auguste is at it yet again,” he added. “But Wes will defend himself, and, just as he has done every time Ms. Auguste has defamed, harassed and attacked him and his family, he will win.”
The LAPD submitted Auguste’s recent report to the Los Angeles city attorney’s office last month. It’s now under review.
[Via Pitchfork]
The UK's 24-hour free-to-call National Domestic Abuse Helpline can be contacted by dialling 0808 2000 247
The US' 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline can be contacted by dialling 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)
AFEM sponsor a confidential support service for anyone affected by sexual harassment within the Electronic Music Industry. Health Assured provide the service to ensure confidential expert counselling a safe and supportive environment for anyone who has been affected and needs guidance and support. Call 0800 030 5182, (Outside the UK: +44 800 030 5182) where trained experts will listen and support
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter
