Cyndi Lauper’s son Dex is facing a sexual assault lawsuit while his father is being sued for allegedly knowing about his history of violence.
Dex Lauper, the son of pop star singer Cyndi Lauper, is facing serious legal charges and now his father is embroiled in a sexual assault lawsuit that exposes a disturbing pattern of alleged abuse over the years.
The civil complaint centers on an encounter that occurred in a penthouse on Thompson Street in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood in November 2020, and not just what happened that night.
His father, David Farrington Thornton, allegedly knew nothing but remained unmoved.
According to the documents, Dex Lauper invited a woman over and sent her approximately $60 via Cash App for a ride. Once she arrived, things quickly escalated.
They argued over sexual demands and she tried to leave because she felt uncomfortable, the complaint states. When she tried to leave, Dex allegedly took her phone to prevent her from leaving and threatened to destroy it if she didn’t comply.
He pushed her onto the bed multiple times and held her down when she tried to stand up, the lawsuit states.
Despite her repeated protests, he forced sexual contact while restraining her, documents state. During the struggle, she claimed she heard a pop on her neck before he let her go.
Afterwards, Dirks yelled, “Look, I told you not to do this,” and allegedly told her no one would believe her, the complaint states. The woman is seeking compensation for physical injuries and emotional distress.
This is where his father becomes the centerpiece of the case. Thornton leased and controlled the apartment, which the lawsuit says gave him the authority to step in, but he failed to do so.
The complaint alleges that Thornton was aware of past allegations involving his son, including alleged violence and a previous settlement, but still allowed him unrestricted use of the apartment.
This knowledge stems from highly publicized accusations made in 2018 by Brittney Taylor, a cast member of the VH1 show Love & Hip Hop: New York.
Taylor publicly accused Dex Lauper of physical and verbal domestic violence during their relationship. She claimed Dex physically assaulted her, injuring her face and nose and suffocating her.
Taylor claimed Dex held her hostage at his residence and refused to let her leave, demanding her mother and law enforcement respond and escort her to safety.
She further claimed that Dex threatened to distribute intimate photos and videos of her without consent in revenge porn.
Taylor has also publicly accused Dex of racially motivated slurs, including using racial epithets, calling her a “good baby,” and insulting her mother.
The public allegations, which were widely reported in the media and spread on social media platforms, brought Thornton’s attention to his son’s violent and abusive tendencies towards women.
However, after those allegations in 2018, Thornton continued to allow his son to use and occupy the home without imposing any restrictions, conditions or supervision, the lawsuit alleges.
Dex’s legal troubles aren’t limited to this civil case. In 2022, he was arrested for unauthorized use of a vehicle after authorities found him in a stolen car.
His legal troubles escalated in February 2024, when police linked him to a shooting in Harlem and charged him with weapons and drug crimes.
According to AllHipHop, the case concluded last week with a plea deal in which Dex pleaded guilty to second-degree possession of a weapon and received a year of temporary probation in lieu of a longer prison term.
