Diddy has been sued by a former record producer for alleged sexual harassment and assault.
Rodney ‘Lil Rod’ Jones, a former producer and videographer for the rapper, filed a lawsuit in New York federal court alleging that for more than a year, Diddy allegedly sexually harassed, drugged and threatened him.
These allegations come after the rapper, whose real name is Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, settled his lawsuit with ex-girlfriend Cassie, who accused him of alleged rape and abuse and was accused of a second sexual assault.
According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the record producer is seeking $30 million in damages.
Mr. Jones who produced nine songs on Diddy’s most recent album, Love from September 2022 to November 2023, said that while working on the project, he lived with the Bad Boy founder in various U.S. cities, and would also vacation with the 54-year-old outside of the country.
Mr. Jones claimed that during this time, he: “witnessed, experienced, and endured many things that went far beyond his role as a producer on the Love album.”
Diddy’s adult son, Justin; his chief of staff, Kristina Khorram; Universal Music Group CEO Sir Lucian Grainge; and former Motown Records CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam, are also named as defendants in the 73-page lawsuit.
Court documents state that due to Mr. Jones’ role as a videographer, he was “required” to “constantly” record the artist.
“As a result, Mr. Jones has secured HUNDREDS of hours of footage and audio recordings of Mr. Combs, his staff, and his guests engaging in serious illegal activity.”
The lawsuit stated: “Throughout his time living with the rapper, Mr. Jones was the victim of constant unsolicited and unauthorized groping and touching of his anus by Mr. Combs”.
The former employee also claimed that at one point, he was asked to work in Diddy’s bathroom and the music executive: “walked around naked and showered in a clear glass enclosure,” making Mr. Jones feel uncomfortable.
Mr. Jones alleged he expressed his concerns to Kristina, and she dismissed the “groping of Mr. Jones anus and genitals as friendly horseplay.”
Mr. Jones also alleged that on Thanksgiving Day in 2022, the female cousin of Diddy’s girlfriend at the time, Yung Miami, sexually assaulted him as well “in the presence of Mr. Combs and his staff.”
Mr. Jones alleged that Diddy brought prostitutes into his Miami house and said on one occasion he was drugged and possibly raped.
In a statement to the publication, Shawn Holley, Diddy’s lawyer wrote: “Lil Rod is nothing more than a liar who filed a $30 million lawsuit shamelessly looking for an undeserved payday.”
“His reckless name-dropping about events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to garner headlines.”
“We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies. Our attempts to share this proof with Mr. Jones’ attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, have been ignored, as Mr. Blackburn refuses to return our calls.”
He added: “We will address these outlandish allegations in court and take all appropriate action against those who make them.”
A rep for Justin Combs told TMZ: “Justin Combs categorically denies these absurd allegations. They are all lies!”
“This is a a clear example of a desperate person taking desperate measures in hopes of a pay day. There will be legal consequences for ALL defamatory statements made about the Combs family.”
