Sean “Diddy” Combs and a former bodyguard are facing serious allegations of drugging, binding, and raping a woman in a New York City recording studio in 2001. A new lawsuit filed on Tuesday details the traumatic events experienced by Thalia Graves, who became emotional during a press conference in Los Angeles as she spoke about the long-lasting effects of the alleged assault, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Graves expressed relief that Combs was recently arrested on federal charges but emphasized that this feeling of relief was temporary.
Graves is the 11th individual to come forward with accusations against Combs, stating that he assaulted her at his Daddy’s House recording studio. Her attorney, Gloria Allred, is seeking justice for Graves, highlighting the need for accountability for those who have caused her suffering.
According to the lawsuit, Graves became acquainted with Combs in 1999 through her then-boyfriend, an executive at Bad Boy Entertainment. After receiving a call from Combs to discuss her boyfriend’s supposed performance issues, Graves – wanting to assist her boyfriend – agreed to meet Combs.
During the meeting, after accepting a drink from him, Graves became lightheaded and weak. The lawsuit claims that by the time they reached the studio, she had lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she found herself naked and restrained, allegedly assaulted by Combs and his bodyguard.
Graves accuses Combs of ignoring her screams and continuing the assault, which left her in physical pain and resulted in her being unable to leave a livery driver’s car when urged to report the assault to the police. She later informed her boyfriend of the incident, but he discouraged her from going to law enforcement, allegedly out of concern for his career.
The lawsuit also reveals that Graves learned her ex-boyfriend had told her that Combs and Sherman had recorded the assault and shared it with others, indicating a pattern of non-consensual recordings by Combs and his associates.
Graves is now seeking justice under New York City’s Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, citing emotional and psychological injuries stemming from the alleged assault. This lawsuit comes among several other allegations against Combs since a high-profile sex trafficking lawsuit was filed against him last year. Combs has settled with some accusers and denied the allegations brought against him.