Graves, who was 25 at the time, alleges that she was lured to Bad Boy Recording Studios under the pretense of a meeting while dating a Combs executive. During the ride, she claims she was given a drink that was likely drugged, causing her to lose consciousness. She reported waking up bound in Combs' office, where she was assaulted by him and his security chief, Joseph Sherman.
At a press conference with attorney Gloria Allred, Graves shared the emotional impact of the alleged assault, describing ongoing flashbacks and nightmares that have affected her ability to form trusting relationships. She expressed the deep pain caused by the trauma, saying it has left lasting emotional scars.
Combs is currently jailed without bail, facing federal charges that include racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, to which he has pleaded not guilty. His attorney maintains that he is innocent and will fight the allegations. Combs’ representatives did not comment on the new lawsuit, nor was it clear whether Sherman has legal representation.
The lawsuit was filed under the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, which allows victims to sue for past abuses that might otherwise be too old to pursue. This comes during a two-year window that suspends legal deadlines for such cases.
Graves claims that, after hearing about allegations from Combs’ former girlfriend, Cassie, she learned that Combs had recorded her assault and distributed it as pornography. The lawsuit states that Combs and Sherman contacted her multiple times afterward, threatening her if she spoke out about the incident. At the time, she feared for her custody of her young son, which kept her silent.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and requests that all copies of the alleged video be accounted for and destroyed. It also names several companies owned by Combs, who has been a significant figure in the hip-hop industry for decades.