Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Moves to Dismiss Sexual Assault Lawsuit by Rodney Jones

Sean “Diddy” Combs is seeking to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, a former producer and videographer. Jones alleges that Diddy engaged in sexual assault, sexual harassment, and drugging him.

In the motion to dismiss, which was filed in federal court in the Southern District of New York, Combs argues that Jones’ lawsuit aims to “generate media hype and exploit it to extract a settlement.”

The music mogul claims that Jones’ complaint is filled with “legally meaningless allegations” and “blatant falsehoods,” describing it as “hyperbole and lurid theatrics.” Combs contends that the lawsuit does not contain a single viable claim against him or his business affiliates who are also named as defendants.

In addition to denying the allegations, Combs asserts that Jones is trying to promote his personal brand and profit from the exposure. He points to a video Jones posted on social media in which he is seen laughing while discussing the lawsuit against him.

Combs is seeking the dismissal of several specific allegations. He has requested the RICO claim be dismissed, arguing that Jones has not proven “a pattern of racketeering activity.” He also wants the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) claim dismissed, stating that Jones’ claims of “threats of force, fraud [or] coercion” can’t be substantiated.

Furthermore, Combs is asking for the sexual assault allegation to be dismissed on the grounds that Jones has not provided essential details such as where and when the purported assaults occurred or what allegedly transpired.

“Mr. Jones’s lawsuit is pure fiction — a shameless attempt to create media hype and extract a quick settlement. There was no RICO conspiracy and Mr. Jones was not threatened, groomed, assaulted, or trafficked. We look forward to proving – in a court of law – that all of Mr. Jones’s claims are made-up and must be dismissed,” Combs’ attorney Erica Wolff stated.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Jones talked about the lawsuit’s impact on his life, describing it as “tough.” He claims to have received threats and says he now requires security when performing.

“Because of this lawsuit, most people don’t want to come near working with me for whatever reasons, whether they’ve been in partnership with Puff or they want to just sit back and see what happens,” he claimed.

Jones also reported feeling “blackballed” within the music industry, saying, “I’ve had many nights and weeks and months of suicidal thoughts. It’s the music that has kept me living all my life.”

Reps for Jones have not yet responded to requests for comment.

On Feb. 26, Jones sued Combs for $30 million in damages, alleging that the rapper sexually harassed, drugged, and threatened him while working on Combs’ recent “Love” album from September 2022 to November 2023.

In November 2023, Combs faced another significant accusation when his ex, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, filed a lawsuit claiming he raped and sex trafficked her over a decade-long abusive relationship. That lawsuit was resolved to both parties’ “mutual satisfaction” just a day after it was filed. However, subsequent allegations have emerged, accusing Diddy of abuse, sex trafficking, and gang rape.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE on Dec. 6, Combs addressed the claims, saying: “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation, and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday.”

In March 2024, federal agents raided Combs’ properties as part of an ongoing investigation, according to a Homeland Security Investigations representative.

Source: PEOPLE, Rolling Stone