Sean “Diddy” Combs Sued for 2001 Rape and Video Allegations \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A woman filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusing him and his head of security of raping her at his recording studio in 2001 and recording the assault. The lawsuit follows multiple allegations and a recent federal sex trafficking indictment against Combs. The woman, Thalia Graves, claims she has endured years of emotional trauma and is seeking damages.
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Rape Allegations: Quick Looks
- New Lawsuit: Another woman accused Sean Combs of rape, alleging the incident occurred in 2001.
- Drugged and Assaulted: The lawsuit states that Graves was drugged, raped, and recorded at Combs’ studio.
- Emotional Impact: Graves shared that the trauma caused nightmares, flashbacks, and difficulty in trusting others.
- Criminal Indictment: Combs was recently indicted on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges.
- Video Evidence: The lawsuit claims Combs recorded the assault and sold the footage as pornography.
Deep Look
Another disturbing lawsuit has been filed against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, as a woman named Thalia Graves accused the hip-hop star and his head of security of raping her at his New York recording studio in 2001. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York on Tuesday, is the latest in a string of legal actions against Combs, whose recent arrest and federal sex trafficking indictment have brought past allegations to the forefront.
In her lawsuit, Graves alleges that when she was 25 years old, she was dating an executive who worked for Combs. During the summer of 2001, she was allegedly lured into a meeting at Combs’ Bad Boy Recording Studios by Combs and his head of security, Joseph Sherman. Graves claims that the men picked her up in an SUV, where she was offered a drink that was “likely laced with a drug.” She lost consciousness shortly after.
According to the lawsuit, Graves awoke to find herself bound in Combs’ office and lounge within the studio. The lawsuit describes a violent and horrific attack, with both Combs and Sherman allegedly raping her, slapping her, and even slamming her head against a pool table. Despite her screams and desperate pleas for help, the men allegedly ignored her and continued the assault.
Graves, who is now in her late 40s, publicly shared the trauma she has lived with ever since the attack. At a news conference held in Los Angeles alongside her attorney, Gloria Allred, Graves spoke through tears as she recalled how the assault has haunted her. She described suffering from “flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts” over the years, making it difficult to form healthy relationships or feel secure. Graves said the emotional toll “reaches into your very core of who you are,” leaving lasting scars that she fears may never fully heal.
This latest lawsuit comes amid mounting legal challenges for Combs, who was recently arrested and indicted on federal charges that include racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. The indictment accuses Combs of operating a vast criminal network that facilitated sexual crimes and engaged in extreme acts of violence. Prosecutors allege that Combs used blackmail and other tactics to protect himself and his associates from scrutiny and repercussions. The indictment outlines cases since 2008, though Graves’ lawsuit points to crimes that allegedly occurred much earlier.
Combs, who remains jailed without bail in New York, has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges and maintains his innocence. His attorney has vowed to fight the allegations, and Combs’ representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment on Graves’ lawsuit. There is also no indication whether Joseph Sherman, the other man named in the lawsuit, has legal representation or plans to comment on the accusations.
Graves’ lawsuit was filed under the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act. This law allows victims of gender-based violence to pursue civil claims regardless of when the assault occurred, provided the claims are filed during a temporary two-year window that suspends statute-of-limitations deadlines. This window has led to a surge in lawsuits from victims who are now coming forward after years or decades of silence.
At the news conference, Allred declined to confirm whether her client has spoken to investigators involved in Combs’ criminal case. She also did not say whether Graves’ allegations will be considered as part of the federal indictment, which currently only includes claims dating back to 2008.
Graves’ lawsuit contains another explosive claim: she alleges that she recently learned Combs had recorded her rape and distributed the footage as pornography. According to the suit, her former boyfriend informed her late last year, after another lawsuit against Combs—filed by his ex-girlfriend and former singer Cassie—triggered a flood of new allegations against the music producer. Cassie’s lawsuit, which was settled out of court, marked the beginning of an avalanche of claims against Combs. Graves now fears that footage of her assault may have been shown to others or sold as explicit content.
In her legal complaint, Graves also describes how Combs and Sherman repeatedly contacted her in the years following the attack, threatening her with serious consequences if she ever disclosed what had happened. At the time, she was embroiled in a divorce and custody battle, and the fear of losing her young son prevented her from coming forward. She now reflects on the guilt and shame that kept her silent for so long, emotions that she says often left her feeling “worthless, isolated, and sometimes responsible” for the assault.
In addition to seeking financial damages, Graves’ lawsuit demands that any copies of the alleged video footage be accounted for and destroyed. Her legal team has also named several of Combs’ companies as defendants, including entities tied to his Bad Boy Records label. Combs, a three-time Grammy Award winner, rose to fame as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop, both as a producer and as an executive shaping the careers of other artists. His influence on the music industry over the past 30 years cannot be overstated, though these recent allegations have tarnished his once-shining legacy.
The Associated Press has a policy of not naming sexual abuse victims unless they come forward publicly. Graves, like Cassie—whose real name is Casandra Ventura—has chosen to do so, hoping that sharing her story will help others who have suffered similar abuses.
Graves’ lawsuit is part of a growing legal storm that threatens to dismantle the career and public image of one of hip-hop’s most powerful figures. As the case develops, it will be closely watched not only for its legal outcomes but for its broader impact on the entertainment industry and accountability for sexual violence.
Sean “Diddy”
