NEW YORK — Sean Combs, the entertainment magnate better known as Diddy, is facing a new lawsuit with grave allegations. Thalia Graves, in a public statement with her attorney Gloria Allred, accused Combs of a violent assault dating back to 2001. The incident allegedly occurred at the Bad Boy Records studio in New York City, involving rape and further misconduct by Diddy’s head of security.
At a recent press conference, Graves shared that she was 25 years old at the time of the attack and was in a relationship with a Bad Boy Records executive. She claims she was drugged and assaulted on a pool table, with the attack being filmed and later shown to her boyfriend and other men. These allegations add to a dark cloud already hanging over Combs, who is in custody facing separate charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.
Graves remarked on the severe impact this event had on her mental health, including driving her to suicidal thoughts especially when reminders of the incident resurfaced. She mentioned that the recent public account of Cassie’s lawsuit against Diddy in November 2023 triggered a painful resurgence of memories.
Aged 25 at the time, Graves was already struggling with a divorce. She described the assault as a significant betrayal during an already vulnerable phase of her life, complicating her ability to trust and build relationships thereafter. The trauma has lingered, marked by intrusive thoughts and persistent nightmares.
Combs, arrested on September 16, 2024, by U.S. Homeland Security investigators, vehemently denies the charges from Graves. His legal team has responded by questioning the timing and motivations behind these allegations, particularly given the current high-profile nature of Combs’ legal troubles.
The court has taken a strict stance in the wake of these allegations. Despite Combs’ offer of a $50 million bond, bail was denied. Federal judges cited concerns about potential witness intimidation, leading to his continued detention at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
This lawsuit against Combs and the unfolding legal drama have stirred conversations about accountability and the treatment of women in the entertainment industry. Victims’ advocates and legal analysts are closely watching the case, noting it could signal shifts in handling such accusations within elite cultural circles.
As proceedings continue, the entertainment world and its observers remain fixed on the outcomes of Combs’ legal battles. The case not only challenges the personal freedom of the music mogul but also tests the industry’s readiness to confront and rectify internal issues of misconduct and abuse.