The ex-boyfriend of an individual who has accused Sean “Diddy” Combs of rape has made allegations that she attempted to offer him a “bribe” to support her claims. According to reports, he asserts that she suggested he could receive financial compensation in exchange for corroborating her accusations against the music mogul.
This development raises questions about the credibility of the allegations and adds complexity to the ongoing legal situation surrounding Diddy. As the case unfolds, further details are expected to emerge, highlighting the intricate dynamics at play in high-profile allegations of this nature.
On September 24, 2024, Graves filed a lawsuit in federal court in New York, alleging that Sean “Diddy” Combs and his head of security, Joseph Sherman, raped her and recorded the incident on video at his recording studio in 2001.
Graves claims that her ex-boyfriend informed her late last year—after the high-profile lawsuit brought by Diddy’s ex, Cassie, which was settled within a day—that the rapper had allegedly recorded the incident, shared it with others, and sold it as pornography. This claim adds another layer to the serious allegations facing Diddy, raising significant concerns regarding the nature of the purported evidence and the actions surrounding the alleged assault.
Graves’ ex-boyfriend provided TMZ with text messages from November 2023 in which she expressed her intention to pursue litigation against Sean “Diddy” Combs, stating, “because he’s the one that has the money.”
According to reports, the ex-boyfriend claimed that Graves attempted to persuade him to confirm that he had seen the alleged footage. In her messages, she notably referenced financial compensation, asking, “What do you n$3 mil?” This exchange raises further questions about the motivations behind the allegations and the potential financial implications of the lawsuit.
Graves’ ex-boyfriend told TMZ that he interpreted her attempt to discuss finances as an “attempted bribe,” leading him to block her on both phone and social media. Diddy Combs’ legal team has obtained copies of the text exchange, adding complexity to the ongoing legal battle.
During a September 24 news conference with attorney Gloria Allred, Graves recounted her experience from the summer of 2001 when she was 25 and dating a Combs executive. She claimed that Combs and his head of security, Joseph Sherman, lured her to a meeting at Bad Boy Recording Studios. During the ride, she alleged they gave her a drink that was likely laced with a drug. Sherman has denied any involvement with Graves or working for Combs during that time.
Graves’ lawsuit states that she lost consciousness and later woke up bound in Combs’ office, where she was raped, physically assaulted, and ignored when she cried for help. At the press conference, she expressed the long-lasting impact of the incident, stating she suffers from flashbacks, nightmares, and difficulty trusting others. She described the pain as deeply rooted, saying it leaves emotional scars that may never heal.
Combs is currently jailed without bail on federal charges, accused of operating a network that facilitated sexual crimes and committing acts of violence to protect himself and associates. Allred emphasized that it is common for wealthy and powerful individuals to attempt to discredit their accusers, adding that her client looks forward to presenting her case in court.
Diddy Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, with his attorney asserting his innocence and commitment to clearing his name. As of now, his representatives have not commented on the latest lawsuit filed against him. There is also no indication whether Joseph Sherman, Combs’ head of security, has a separate attorney to address the allegations made in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed under the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which provides a two-year window for sexual assault victims to sue over past abuses that may no longer fall within the usual legal deadlines. Notably, Gloria Allred, representing Graves, did not disclose whether her client has spoken to investigators related to Combs’ ongoing criminal case, which focuses on allegations dating back to 2008.
In her lawsuit, Graves claims that after Cassie Ventura (formerly Cassie), a former girlfriend and protégé of Combs, filed a lawsuit that led to a wave of allegations against him, Graves learned from her ex-boyfriend that Combs had recorded her rape and sold it as pornography.
The lawsuit alleges that both Combs and Sherman contacted Graves multiple times after the assault, threatening her with repercussions if she disclosed what had occurred. At that time, she was involved in a divorce and custody battle, which intensified her fear of losing custody of her young son if she spoke out.
During the press conference, Graves expressed the profound guilt and shame she has felt since the incident, stating it often left her feeling worthless and isolated.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and demands that all copies of the alleged video be located and destroyed. Additionally, it names several companies owned by Combs, who is a prominent figure in the hip-hop industry and founder of Bad Boy Records.