Woman sues Sean Combs, alleging he drugged and 'viciously' raped her in 2001

It appears to be the first lawsuit Combs has faced since federal authorities in New York indicted him last week on sex trafficking and other charges.

Sean “Diddy” Combs was sued Tuesday by a woman who says that he and his bodyguard “viciously” raped her in a New York City recording studio more than 20 years ago after Combs had drugged her, and that the men recorded the encounter on video.

Thalia Graves said in the lawsuit filed in federal court in New York that she only learned of the alleged recording decades later, in November 2023, after the R&B singer Cassie sued Combs, alleging that he had subjected her to years of abuse, including severe beatings and rape, while they had dated. The singer, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, settled the suit with Combs in a day without disclosing the terms. Combs denied any wrongdoing.

Graves is seeking a jury trial. It appears to be the first lawsuit Combs has faced since he was indicted last week by federal authorities in New York on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty and was denied bail. His representatives did not immediately reply to a request for comment Tuesday.