Cyndi Lauper’s husband sued: woman accuses their son of sexual assault

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• Details of the incident as described in the complaint
• Why the suit targets David Thornton, not his son
• Allegations about prior incidents and cited witnesses
• Legal claims, injuries, and damages sought
• Key dates, filings and courtroom specifics
• Family background and recent criminal history
• Responses and public record

A woman suing Cyndi Lauper’s husband says their son attacked her inside a Manhattan apartment in November 2020, and she has filed a civil claim that targets the younger man’s father for allegedly enabling the violence. The lawsuit, lodged this week in New York Supreme Court, names David Thornton as the defendant and accuses him of renting the unit to his son despite knowledge of prior violent behavior.

Details of the incident as described in the complaint

The filing, brought by an anonymous plaintiff identified as Jane Doe, sets out a sequence of events that she says unfolded on Nov. 9, 2020. The complaint describes how the son, Declyn “Dex” Lauper, arranged and paid for her transport to an apartment and then escalated into violence.

• Travel arranged: The complaint says Declyn sent $60 so the woman could travel by private car to the apartment.
• Dispute over a sexual act: She alleges the pair argued when he demanded a sexual act she did not agree to perform.
• Phone taken and threatened: According to the suit, Declyn seized her cellphone and threatened to destroy it if she resisted.
• Forcible contact: The plaintiff says he forced her head toward his genitals and applied significant pressure, causing pain.
• Injury claimed: The complaint alleges a popping sound in her neck and upper spine during the struggle.
• Verbal abuse and intimidation: She claims he used slurs, called her derogatory names and warned she would not be believed.
• Aftermath: The filing says the two exchanged phones and he later phoned to apologize.

Why the suit targets David Thornton, not his son

Rather than suing Declyn directly for sexual assault, the plaintiff’s legal strategy focuses on Thornton as a property provider. The complaint contends the father rented the apartment to his son with knowledge of prior misconduct and insufficient safeguards.

The claim asserts that by leasing the premises to Declyn without proper oversight, Thornton “enabled the gender-motivated violence” that occurred there. The suit further alleges Thornton knew about previous allegations of violence and had been involved in settlements tied to his son’s conduct.

Allegations about prior incidents and cited witnesses

Jane Doe’s filing points to past accusations against Declyn as part of the basis for faulting Thornton. The complaint references Brittney Taylor, a former girlfriend who has publicly accused Declyn of abuse during their relationship.

• Taylor, known from the series Love & Hip Hop: New York, previously described physical and verbal abuse.
• The plaintiff alleges Thornton was aware of those allegations and any resulting legal settlements.

Legal claims, injuries, and damages sought

The suit claims a range of harms resulting from the November 2020 incident. Jane Doe describes physical injury and emotional harms she attributes to the encounter.

• Alleged harms include physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, humiliation, and loss of self-esteem.
• The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees.

The complaint asks the court to hold Thornton responsible for providing the space and failing to take steps to prevent his son from committing sexual violence on the premises.

Key dates, filings and courtroom specifics

The civil complaint against Thornton was filed this Monday in New York Supreme Court. Court records obtained by media outlets list Thornton’s age as 72 and identify Declyn as 28.

• Incident date in complaint: Nov. 9, 2020.
• Filing: anonymous plaintiff using the name Jane Doe.
• Defendant: David Thornton, husband of singer Cyndi Lauper.

Family background and recent criminal history

Cyndi Lauper and David Thornton have been married since 1991. Their son Declyn was born in 1997 and has appeared in headlines for legal troubles.

In February 2024, Declyn was arrested in Harlem after a friend suffered a gunshot wound. He later pleaded guilty to a weapons charge and avoided prison under a plea deal that imposed one year of interim probation and mandatory substance abuse treatment.

Responses and public record

Media requests for comment to representatives of Lauper and her son were not immediately answered. The lawsuit remains a civil matter, and no criminal charges from the 2020 episode are cited in the complaint.

The case centers on allegations and legal theories that must be proven in court. Procedural developments, responses from the parties, and any future filings will shape how the matter proceeds.