Recent sexual abuse lawsuits against music entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs have damaged his reputation and career. But a new lawsuit from music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones makes explosive new claims about Combs' alleged assaults and misconduct in great detail, also naming several prominent artists and music executives.
Jones, who worked closely with Combs on his recent release “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” sued him in federal court in New York on Monday, alleging that Combs sexually and physically abused him, engaged in sex trafficking and directed his inner circle as a “RICO enterprise” that functioned as a criminal organization. Jones' lawsuit contains what he says are photos, videos and screenshots that corroborate his allegations.
Combs denied previous allegations against him, including those from a former partner, R&B singer Cassie, whose November lawsuit launched a wave of complaints against Combs under New York's Adult Survivors Act.
Combs' attorney, Shawn Holley, said in a statement that Jones's “reckless name-dropping of events that are pure fiction and simply did not happen is nothing more than a transparent attempt to grab headlines.”
“We have overwhelming and indisputable evidence that his claims are complete lies,” Holley said. “We will address these outlandish allegations in court and take all appropriate action against those making them.”
Jones' lawsuit is a lengthy document that names well-known music executives, celebrities and actors in Combs' circle. While some famous names are redacted (though alluded to with blind item style clues), here's a guide to the many names that appear in the lawsuit.
Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones
A Chicago-born producer who recorded with gospel-inspired acts such as the Clark Sisters and Georgia Mass Choir. Jones produced nine songs on Diddy's “Love Album” between September 2022 and November 2023.
Sean “Diddy” combs
The producer, founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, media executive and celebrity spokesperson had a monumental career in hip-hop dating back to the early 1990s. He helped launch the career of Notorious B.I.G., scored his own albums platinum and oversaw businesses that made him one of the richest men in music. However, claims from last year's lawsuits made him toxic in the industry, and Jones' new claims will likely add to that sentiment.
Among the many allegations in the lawsuit, Jones said Combs greeted him and sexually harassed him while they worked at Combs' homes in Los Angeles, New York, Florida and on a yacht in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She claims Combs forced him to hire sex workers and engage in group sex with him, and that Combs drugged him in February of last year. He also said Combs was involved in a shooting at a Hollywood recording studio in 2022.
Justin Dior Combs
Diddy's adult son who, Jones claims, was also present at the 2022 shooting at Chalice Recording Studios. Jones alleges that Justin solicited sex workers for the crew around Diddy and participated in the “freak-off” group sex events. A rep for Justin Combs said in a statement: “Justin Combs categorically denies these absurd allegations. They are all lies! This is a clear example of a desperate person taking desperate measures in hopes of getting a payday. “There will be legal consequences for ALL defamatory statements made about the Combs family.”
Kristina Khorram
Diddy's chief of staff, who, Jones alleges in her lawsuit, hired sex workers for Combs and “instructed his staff to make champagne,” DeLeon [tequila]and bottles of Ciroc liquor with ecstasy and others [illicit] drugs” and “required every employee, from the butler, the chef to the housekeepers, to walk around with a bag or fanny pack full of cocaine, GHB, ecstasy” and other drugs. Khorram did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Ethiopia Habtemariam
Former CEO of Motown Records, which partnered with Combs on his Love Records label. Jones claims that Habtemariam visited Combs' homes during writing sessions and social gatherings, and that she “had a duty and obligation to ensure that sex workers and underage girls were not present, and that Mr. Combs was not adding rape drugs to alcohol. A representative for Universal Music Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Luciano Grainge
The CEO of Universal Music Group, the world's largest record label conglomerate and parent company of Motown. Jones claims that Grainge also “attended several Love Album listening parties at Mr. Combs' home in Los Angeles, California,” where some of the alleged misconduct took place. A representative for Universal Music Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Stevie J.
Music producer and former Bad Boy Entertainment affiliate who worked on Diddy's debut album in 1997. Stevie J also worked on “The Love Album” with Jones, who claimed that Combs “used access to Stevie J and his knowledge of fandom of Mr. Jones.” of Stevie J to prepare and attract Mr. Jones.” Stevie J told TMZ in an interview: “These allegations are false and my attorney will be handling this in the future.”
Yung Miami
The City Girls rapper who, Jones alleges in the lawsuit, was part of a group that “received a monthly fee to work as sex workers for Mr. Combs and received payment via wire transfer.” Jones also alleges that Yung Miami's cousin, who is not named in the lawsuit, sexually assaulted him at a party in 2022. Representatives for Yung Miami did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Cuba Gooding Jr.
The actor who, Jones claims, made sexual advances on Diddy's yacht after Diddy “groomed him to hand him over to his friends.” Gooding's manager did not respond to a request for comment.
“GRAM”
A friend of Justin Combs, who was Jones, says he was shot at Chalice Studios in 2022. Jones claims members of Diddy's crew were instructed to lie about the location of the shooting.
Fahim Muhammad
Diddy's head of security, who, according to Jones, “had the power to make people and problems go away” and served as an intermediary between the LAPD and Diddy after the Chalice shooting. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Robin Green Hill
Diddy's accountant, who Jones said oversaw payments to sex workers. Tri Star Sports & Entertainment's Greenhill is best known for working with Britney Spears' father to oversee the singer's conservatorship; Britney Spears accused Greenhill of intrusive surveillance. A representative for Tri Star declined to comment.
De Forrest Taylor
A Love Records A&R executive who Jones claims threatened him after Jones asked to be paid for his production work. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brendan Pablo
Jones claims in the lawsuit that Paul “works as Mr. Combs' mule. “He acquires and distributes Mr. Combs' drugs and weapons.” He could not be reached for comment.
Frankie Santella
Jones alleges that Santella “carries the money and pays for the guns and drugs” along with Paul. He could not be reached for comment.
Moy Baun
Jones claims Baun helped secure sex workers for the “freak-offs” at Diddy's houses. He could not be reached for comment.
Jose Cruz
Diddy's IT director, who, according to Jones, monitors the hidden cameras placed in all of Diddy's homes and is “everyone's guardian.” [Mr. Combs] recordings” of events that occurred in his home. He could not be reached for comment.
