A new lawsuit filed on Tuesday adds another layer to the mounting legal troubles facing music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Thalia Graves, a woman who claims she was 25 at the time of the incident, alleges that Combs and his head of security, Joseph Sherman, raped her and recorded the assault at Combs’ New York recording studio in 2001. This lawsuit, submitted in federal court, joins a growing list of similar actions against Combs, following his recent arrest and the unsealing of a federal sex trafficking indictment.
Graves’ lawsuit details a disturbing pattern of alleged coercion and threats. She claims that she was enticed to meet Combs and Sherman at Bad Boy Recording Studios while dating an executive who worked for Combs. She alleges that they picked her up in an SUV and gave her a drink that was “likely laced with a drug.” Graves alleges that she was assaulted in the studio and that the incident was recorded and subsequently distributed as pornography.
Graves’ lawsuit states that Combs and Sherman repeatedly threatened her over the years to prevent her from speaking out about the alleged assault. It was only after Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Cassie Venture, went public with accusations of his criminal behavior last year that Graves learned about the recording and its distribution.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and demands that all copies of the alleged assault recording be accounted for and destroyed. It also names several companies owned by Combs as defendants.
This lawsuit highlights the ongoing investigation into Combs’ alleged criminal activities. Prosecutors allege that he led a criminal enterprise that exploited women, using threats, financial pressure, and reputation damage to coerce them into sexual acts. The lawsuit was filed under the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which provides a two-year window for victims to sue over sexual assault, regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred.
This latest development adds to the legal and public scrutiny facing Combs. His impact on the music industry and his influence within the entertainment world are undeniable. However, the serious allegations against him raise profound concerns about his conduct and the potential abuse of power within the industry.
