Los Angeles, California – The federal sex-trafficking investigation involving music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs continues to grow. A music producer who initially filed a lawsuit against Combs for sexual assault is now including Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. in the complaint.
Rodney Jones, also known as Lil Rod, has expanded his claims to include Gooding, alleging that the actor sexually harassed and assaulted him, including incidents on Combs’ yacht. Jones’ original lawsuit accused the Bad Boy Records founder of forcing him to procure sex workers and engage in unwanted sex acts.
The same lawsuit alleges that Combs confessed to his involvement in the 1999 New York City nightclub shooting that led to the arrests of himself, then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, and rapper Jamal “Shyne” Barrow. Barrow was charged and sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Combs faced weapons charges.
A shooting victim from that incident, Natania Reuben, claims that Combs shot her in the face that night. She filed a $130 million lawsuit against him in 2008, which was settled in June 2011.
Recently, Gooding settled a civil sexual abuse case just before trial, where he was accused of raping a woman in a New York City hotel a decade prior. Despite law enforcement officials raiding homes associated with Combs in Los Angeles and Miami, he has not been arrested. However, his alleged drug “mule,” Brendan Paul, was apprehended at Miami’s Opa-Locka Airport.
Combs’ representatives and attorneys assert his innocence amidst the ongoing legal issues. Attorney Aaron Dyer criticized the raids as “excessive use of force,” emphasizing Combs’ dedication to clearing his name.
During the search at Combs’ Los Angeles home, his sons Justin Combs and Christian “King” Combs were among those briefly detained. As the investigation unfolds, Combs’ whereabouts are currently unknown.