Thalia Graves becomes the latest woman to accuse Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual assault, filing a civil lawsuit alleging a harrowing incident involving Combs and his bodyguard, Joe “Big Joe” Sherman, at the Bad Boy Records studio in New York in 2001.
The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of a calculated attack, alleging Combs exploited Graves’ relationship with her then-boyfriend, a Bad Boy Records employee, to lure her into a vulnerable situation. Graves claims Combs contacted her under the pretense of discussing her boyfriend’s performance issues, setting the stage for the alleged assault.
According to the lawsuit, Combs and Sherman picked Graves up from her mother’s house in Queens. Graves accepted a glass of wine offered by Combs and began experiencing dizziness and weakness. She believes the wine was drugged.
The lawsuit details a horrific sequence of events that followed, alleging Graves regained consciousness naked and restrained, only to be subjected to a brutal sexual assault by both Combs and Sherman. Graves claims she was slammed onto a pool table, raped, and forced to perform oral sex.
The trauma inflicted upon Graves extends far beyond physical pain. In a heart-wrenching statement, she describes the deep emotional scars and the constant struggle to cope with flashbacks, nightmares, and the feeling of guilt and shame.
Adding another layer of anguish to Graves’ ordeal is the alleged existence of a video recording of the assault. The lawsuit claims Combs and Sherman recorded the rape without her knowledge or consent and shared the video with others, exacerbating the humiliation and psychological torment.
Graves’ attorney, Gloria Allred, confirms the existence of the alleged videotape but refrains from revealing how her client became aware of it. This detail raises questions about a potential connection to another high-profile case involving Combs. Cassie Ventura, Combs’ ex-girlfriend, previously filed a lawsuit alleging years of abuse and assault. Ventura reportedly possessed a copy of a tape showing Combs physically assaulting her. The timing of Graves’ lawsuit and the mention of the videotape, shortly after Ventura settled her case with Combs, sparks speculation about a possible link.
While Combs remains silent on the recent allegations, his former bodyguard, Joe Sherman, vehemently denies any involvement in the alleged assault. In an Instagram post and a subsequent statement, Sherman maintains his innocence, calling the accusations “false and baseless” and characterizing them as a “clear attempt at a money grab.” Sherman’s legal team is reportedly preparing a defamation lawsuit, further intensifying the legal battle surrounding Combs.
As the lawsuit progresses, the world watches as yet another woman steps forward to accuse Sean “Diddy” Combs of horrific acts. The details of the allegations, coupled with the ongoing legal battles, paint a bleak picture of power, abuse, and the courage it takes for victims to break their silence.
