Sean Diddy Combs sued male producer alleges sexual assault

Former Sean "Diddy" Combs employee files lawsuit alleging sexual assault, harassment, and "grooming." Combs' attorney calls him "a liar."

Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing a lawsuit from a former employee, Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones, who has accused the producer and businessman of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and "grooming." Jones, a former producer and videographer for Combs, filed his civil complaint in New York federal court on Monday. He claims to have worked for and traveled with Combs between 2022-2023, collaborating on Combs' most recent album, "Love."

Among the allegations, Jones claims that Combs did not compensate him for his music producing work, forced him to procure and interact with sex workers, threatened him, and served alcoholic beverages laced with drugs to guests at parties at his homes. Combs' chief of staff, Kristina Khorram; Universal Music Group CEO Sir Lucian Grainge; former Motown CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam; and Combs' adult son, Justin, are also named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Justin Combs is accused of soliciting prostitutes and underage girls to attend parties at his father's homes, while Khorram allegedly ordered prostitutes and illicit drugs for Combs and his guests. Grainge and Habtemarian, according to the lawsuit, "sponsored and attended several" listening parties for the "Love" album at Combs' Los Angeles home, and "knew or should have known that Mr. Combs was drugging the attendees through laced bottles of DeLeon Tequila, and Ciroc Vodka."

Jones is seeking US$30 million in damages, and Combs' attorney, Shawn Holley, has denied the allegations, calling Jones "a liar." A representative for Justin Combs also denied the allegations, stating that they are all lies and a desperate attempt to gain a payday. The lawsuit also claims that Jones was the victim of constant unsolicited and unauthorized groping and touching of his anus, and that when he raised concerns, Khorram dismissed it as "friendly horseplay."

Jones described Combs as "forceful and demanding," claiming that Combs displayed firearms, talked about getting away with shooting people, and intimidated Jones with his influence in the music industry. Jones also alleges that he has secured hours of footage and audio recordings of Combs, his staff, and his guests engaging in illegal activity. He also claims that Combs encouraged him to watch producer and reality TV personality Steven 'Stevie J' Jordan engage in sex with another man to ease his anxiety about homosexuality.

Additionally, the lawsuit states that Combs is liable for a sexual assault that Jones says he experienced by actor Cuba Gooding Jr. on a yacht rented by Combs in the US Virgin Islands in January 2023. Combs was present while Jones was being assaulted, according to the suit.

In response to the lawsuit, Gooding, Jr. has not publicly commented, and his representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment. Combs settled a lawsuit brought by his former girlfriend, singer Casandra Ventura, in November 2023, and at least two other civil lawsuits were filed against him with allegations of sexual assault. Combs has denied all the allegations and vowed to fight for his name, family, and the truth.