Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, already entangled in legal battles over federal sex crime charges, faces yet another grim chapter.

A new lawsuit filed on September 24 in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York brings fresh sexual assault allegations against the 54-year-old rapper and his former bodyguard, Joseph Sherman.

This lawsuit, filed by Thalia Graves, details harrowing accusations dating back to the summer of 2001.

Graves alleges that Combs and Sherman raped her at the Bad Boy Records studio in New York City, a traumatic experience that she says has left deep emotional and psychological scars.

In the complaint, Graves, who was 25 then, recounts being lured into a private meeting with Combs and Sherman under the pretence of dating one of Combs’ employees.

The complaint alleges that once alone, she was given a drink that may have been laced with a drug, leading her to lose consciousness.

When she regained consciousness, she found herself restrained and bound, with Combs and Sherman taking turns sexually assaulting her.

Graves also claims the assault was videotaped, and in a chilling turn, she later learned that the video had allegedly been shown to others and possibly even sold as pornography.

This revelation, which came to light in November 2023, heightened her distress and added to the years of emotional turmoil she had already endured.

Graves has suffered from PTSD, nightmares, flashbacks, and suicidal thoughts as a result of the incident, according to the lawsuit.

At a press conference on the day the lawsuit was filed, Graves expressed the profound impact the assault had on her life.

Through tears, she shared how the attack left her feeling “worthless and isolated,” a pain that reached into her core.

Her attorney, Gloria Allred, representing her in the case, stated that Graves would be seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

“This lawsuit is about accountability,” Allred said, emphasizing the importance of justice for survivors of sexual assault.

The new lawsuit only adds to the legal storm already surrounding Combs.

Just days prior, on September 16, Combs was arrested in Manhattan after a grand jury indicted him on sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution-related charges.

The indictment remains sealed, but federal authorities expect it to be unsealed soon, shedding more light on the specifics of the charges.

Combs has pleaded not guilty and has been denied bail twice, with his legal team preparing for what they anticipate will be a long, drawn-out legal battle.

This latest arrest follows a string of sexual assault allegations against Combs that have been surfacing for several years.

The accusations began gaining significant public attention in November 2023 when singer Cassie, who had an on-and-off relationship with Combs from 2007 to 2018, filed a lawsuit accusing him of rape and abuse throughout their decade-long relationship.

The lawsuit was quickly settled, but it opened the floodgates for other victims to come forward.

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A Growing List of Accusers

Following Cassie’s lawsuit, several more women made their own allegations.

On November 23, a woman named Joi Dickerson-Neal accused Combs of drugging and raping her while she was a college student at Syracuse University in 1991.

The very next day, another woman accused Combs and his friend, Aaron Hall, of taking turns raping her in 1990 when she was just 16 years old.

The accusations did not stop there.

In December 2023, yet another woman claimed that Combs, his longtime collaborator Harve Pierre, and a third unidentified man trafficked and gang-raped her in 2003.

These allegations were followed by a suit filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, a former producer and videographer for Combs.

Jones alleged that during the production of Combs’ “Love” album, he was sexually harassed, drugged, and threatened.

The lawsuits paint a disturbing picture of a pattern of sexual abuse, manipulation, and coercion.

In response, Combs has vehemently denied all allegations.

His legal team, led by Marc Agnifilo, has argued that these accusations are nothing more than attempts to tarnish the rapper’s reputation.

“Mr. Combs is an imperfect person but he is not a criminal,” Agnifilo stated.

“These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide.”

In March 2024, Howard University, where Combs was awarded an honorary degree, rescinded the honour.

A few months later, New York City Mayor Eric Adams publicly called for Combs to return his key to the city.

Meanwhile, federal agents have raided several of his properties in Los Angeles and Miami, further intensifying the legal scrutiny.

While Combs and his legal team continue to claim his innocence, the weight of the accusations is growing.

Thalia Graves’ lawsuit, combined with Combs’ criminal charges and other lawsuits, casts a long shadow over his once-celebrated career.

For Graves, this lawsuit represents a step toward healing. “I’m glad Diddy is locked up, but that’s a temporary feeling of relief,” she said. “The trauma lives on.”

A hearing for Combs’ federal case is scheduled for October 9, 2024, where more details about the indictment may be revealed.

The outcome of this trial and civil lawsuits like Graves’ will shape not only Combs’ future but also the broader conversation about accountability in the entertainment industry.

In the meantime, advocates for survivors of sexual assault, like Gloria Allred, stress the importance of listening to victims and ensuring that justice is served.

“It’s about time these powerful men are held accountable for their actions,” Allred said. As more victims step forward, it is clear that the fight for justice is far from over.