CNN
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A former worker of Sean “Diddy” Combs has filed a lawsuit towards the producer and businessman, accusing him of sexual assault, sexual harassment and “grooming.”
Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, a former producer and videographer for Combs, filed his civil criticism in New York federal court docket on Monday. He states he labored for and traveled with Combs between 2022 – 2023, whereas collaborating with Combs on his most up-to-date album, “Love.”
Amongst different allegations, Jones claims that Combs didn’t compensate him for his music producing work, pressured him to obtain and work together with intercourse staff, threatened him and served alcoholic drinks laced with medication to visitors at events at his properties. Combs’ chief of workers, Kristina Khorram; Common Music Group CEO Sir Lucian Grainge; former Motown CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam; and Combs’ grownup son, Justin, are additionally named as defendants.
Justin Combs is accused of soliciting prostitutes and underage ladies to attend events at his father’s properties. Khorram allegedly ordered prostitutes and illicit medication for Combs and his visitors and in response to the lawsuit, Jones believed Khorram “aided and abetted” Combs’ sexual assault. Grainge and Habtemarian, in response to the lawsuit, “sponsored and attended a number of” listening events for the “Love” album at Combs’ Los Angeles residence, and “knew or ought to have identified that Mr. Combs was drugging the attendees by way of laced bottles of DeLeon Tequila, and Ciroc Vodka.” As sponsors of those occasions, the lawsuit states Grainge and Habtemarian “had an obligation and obligation to make sure that intercourse staff and underaged ladies weren’t current, and that Mr. Combs was not spiking the alcohol with date rape medication.”
Jones is in search of $30 million.
Shawn Holley, Sean Combs’ legal professional, denied the allegations in an announcement to CNN, calling Jones “a liar.”
“His reckless name-dropping about occasions which might be pure fiction and easily didn’t occur is nothing greater than a clear try and garner headlines. We’ve got overwhelming, indeniable proof that his claims are full lies,” Holley mentioned within the assertion. “Our makes an attempt to share this proof with Mr. Jones’ legal professional, Tyrone Blackburn, have been ignored, as Mr. Blackburn refuses to return our calls. We are going to handle these outlandish allegations in court docket and take all applicable motion towards those that make them.”
A consultant for Justin Combs advised CNN in an announcement: “Justin Combs categorically denies these absurd allegations. They’re all lies! It is a a transparent instance of a determined particular person taking determined measures in hopes of a pay day. There might be authorized penalties for ALL defamatory statements made concerning the Combs household.”
CNN has reached out to an legal professional for Jones for touch upon their statements. Representatives for Khorram, Grainge and Habtemariam weren’t instantly accessible for remark.
Based on the criticism, obtained by CNN, Jones claims that “All through his time dwelling with Mr. Combs, Mr. Jones was the sufferer of fixed unsolicited and unauthorized groping and touching of his anus.”
When Jones raised issues concerning the alleged harassment to Khorram, the lawsuit states she dismissed it as “pleasant horseplay.”
Jones described Combs as “forceful and demanding” within the lawsuit, claiming that Combs displayed firearms, talked about getting away with taking pictures folks, and intimidated Jones together with his affect within the music business.
As his videographer, Jones alleges that he “has secured HUNDREDS of hours of footage and audio recordings of Mr. Combs, his workers, and his visitors partaking in critical criminality.”
Citing for instance of alleged grooming he skilled by Combs, Jones claims that Combs inspired him to look at producer and actuality TV character Steven ‘Stevie J’ Jordan, somebody who Combs allegedly knew Jones admired professionally, interact in intercourse with one other man.
“This was finished to ease Mr. Jones’ nervousness regarding homosexuality,” the go well with alleges. “Based on Mr. Combs, ‘it is a regular apply within the music business, look even Stevie J is doing it.’”
Stevie J will not be accused of wrongdoing and isn’t named as a defendant within the lawsuit. In an announcement to CNN, he known as Jones’ allegations “false.”
“My lawyer might be dealing with this going ahead,” Stevie J added.
Jones additionally alleges within the go well with that Combs is responsible for a sexual assault he says he skilled by Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding, Jr., which allegedly happened “on a yacht rented by Mr. Combs within the US Virgin Islands in January 2023.”
“Mr. Combs was current whereas Mr. Jones was being assaulted by Cuba Gooding Jr.,” the go well with alleges. “Mr. Jones was legally on the premises as a visitor and invitee of Mr. Combs. Cuba Gooding Jr. was legally on the premises as a visitor and invitee of Mr. Combs.”
Gooding, Jr. has not publicly commented on the criticism and his representatives haven’t but returned CNN’s request for remark. He’s not named as a defendant within the lawsuit.
In November 2023, Combs settled a suit introduced by his former girlfriend, singer Casandra Ventura, who alleged she was raped and subjected to years of repeated bodily and different abuses by Combs.
“A call to settle a lawsuit, particularly in 2023, is by no means an admission of wrongdoing,” Ben Brafman, an legal professional for Combs, advised CNN in an announcement on the time. “Mr. Combs‘ choice to settle the lawsuit doesn’t in any method undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He’s blissful they obtained to a mutual settlement and needs Ms. Ventura the most effective.”
Weeks later, at the least two different civil lawsuits have been filed against Combs with allegations of sexual assault.
“I’ve sat silently and watched folks attempt to assassinate my character, destroy my repute and my legacy,” Combs said in an announcement in December. “Sickening allegations have been made towards me by people searching for a fast payday. Let me be completely clear: I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged. I’ll struggle for my identify, my household and for the reality.”