Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs (54) is facing new sexual assault allegations.
The rap star, who is currently awaiting trial on federal sex crime charges, and his former bodyguard, Joseph Sherman, have been accused of raping Thalia Graves at the Bad Boy Records studio in New York City in the summer of 2001.
During a press conference about the new lawsuit on 24 September, Graves explained that the alleged assault left her feeling “worthless and isolated”.
She claimed she has suffered from post-traumatic stress, flashbacks, nightmares and suicidal thoughts over the last 23 years.
“It’s a pain that reaches into your very core,” she said.
Combs is currently in prison in New York awaiting trial and Graves observed that his situation has provided a “temporary feeling of relief”.
She said: “I’m glad Diddy is locked up, but that’s a temporary feeling of relief.”
Combs’ legal team has not responded to the latest allegations yet.
However, Combs pleaded not guilty to allegations of sex trafficking earlier this month.
The rap star appeared at a court in Manhattan after being charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Asked during a court hearing how he pleaded to the charges, Combs replied: “Not guilty.”
The rapper’s lawyers subsequently requested that Combs be freed on bond, pending trial, after paying a sum of $50 million (N$865 million).
However, following a lengthy debate between legal teams on whether Combs represents a flight risk, magistrate judge Robyn Tarnofsky announced that the rap star will remain in detention until his sex trafficking trial begins.
Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, later said the star is determined to “establish his innocence”.
Agnifilo told reporters outside the court: “He’s going to fight this. He’s innocent. He came to New York to establish his innocence.
“We believe in him wholeheartedly. He didn’t do these things. There’s no coercion and no crime.” – IOL Entertainment
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