Sean 'Diddy' Combs Seeks to Dismiss 'Lurid' Sexual Assault Lawsuit from Producer Rodney Jones

• Sean “Diddy” Combs seeks dismissal of civil lawsuit against Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones
• The music mogul claims that the purpose of Jones’ lawsuit is to “generate media hype and use it to get a settlement.”
• In a statement, Combs’ attorney Erica Wolff claims Jones’ lawsuit is “pure fiction.”

Sean “Diddy” Combs is seeking to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, the former producer and videographer who sued the music mogul for sexual assault, sexual harassment and drugging.

In a motion to dismiss, filed in federal court in the Southern District of New York on Monday, Aug. 26 and obtained by PEOPLE, Combs claims that the purpose of Jones’ lawsuit is to “generate media hype and use it to extract a settlement.”

The “I’ll Be Missing You” artist, 54, claims Jones’ complaint is “riddled with legally meaningless allegations and blatant falsehoods.” Combs claims the lawsuit is full of “hyperbole and lurid theatrics” and “does not state a single viable claim” against the Bad Boy Records founder and his business associates who are named as defendants.

Sean “Diddy” Combs in Atlanta in August 2023.

Paras Griffin/Getty Images

A timeline of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ sexual assault allegations and lawsuits

In addition to denying Jones’ allegations, Combs claims Jones tried to “promote his personal brand and profit from the exposure,” citing a video he posted on social media of himself laughing while discussing his lawsuit against the rapper/producer.

Combs asked that the RICO claim against him be dismissed because Jones failed to prove “a pattern of racketeering activity.” He also seeks dismissal of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) claim as Jones’s “threats of force, fraud [or] the allegations of coercion cannot be proven.

Combs is also asking that the sexual assault charges against him be dismissed “because Jones fails to allege the most basic facts, such as where and when any alleged assault occurred or what allegedly happened,” the lawsuit says.

“MR. Jones’ 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 court – that all of Mr. Jones’ claims are fabricated and must be dismissed,” Combs’ attorney Erica Wolff wrote in a statement.

In an interview with Rolling Stone released on Tuesday, August 27, Jones spoke about the lawsuit and the “severe” impact it has had on his life — including the “threats” he claims he has received and his need to have security with him while performing.

“Because of this lawsuit, most people don’t even want to work with me for whatever reason, whether they were in a partnership with Puff or they just want to sit back and see what happens,” he claimed.

Jones also claims to be “blackballed” in the music industry, adding: “I’ve had many nights, weeks and months of suicidal thoughts. It’s music that’s kept me going my whole life.”

Representatives for Jones have not yet responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Sean “Diddy” Combs in Washington, DC in October 2023.

Shareif Ziyadat/Getty

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs accused of sexually assaulting sixth woman in new lawsuit

Jones sued Combs for $30 million on Feb. 26, claiming the rapper had previously sexually harassed, drugged and threatened him while working with the “Last Night” artist on a recent Love album from September 2022 to November 2023.

But Combs has faced numerous sexual assault allegations dating back to November 2023, when he made headlines after his ex, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, filed a bombshell lawsuit against him, alleging he raped her and sold her for sex over 10 years. abuse.

Just one day after filing, the lawsuit was settled to “mutual satisfaction,” however, since then more people have come forward, with some accusing Diddy of abuse, human trafficking and gang rape.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE on Dec. 6, Combs addressed the allegations, saying, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. For the past few weeks I have sat in silence and watched as people tried to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Individuals looking for a quick buck made sickening allegations against me.”

In March 2024, federal agents raided Combs’ properties, which a Homeland Security Investigations representative told PEOPLE was “part of an ongoing investigation.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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Source: HIS Education