Los Angeles, California – The ongoing federal sex-trafficking investigation involving music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is expanding its scope with a new development. Music producer Rodney Jones, also known as Lil Rod, who previously sued Combs for sexual assault, has now added Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr. to the lawsuit, alleging that the actor sexually harassed and assaulted him, including incidents like groping aboard Combs’ yacht.
Jones’ original lawsuit against Combs also included allegations of being forced to procure sex workers and engage in unwelcome sex acts. Additionally, the lawsuit claims that Combs took responsibility for the 1999 New York City nightclub shooting that resulted in the arrest of himself, then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, and rapper Jamal “Shyne” Barrow.
Following the nightclub incident, where Barrow was charged with the shooting and Combs was arrested on weapons charges, shooting victim Natania Reuben alleged that Combs shot her in the face that night. Reuben later filed a $130 million lawsuit against Combs for compensation in 2008, ultimately settling in June 2011.
In a separate case, Cuba Gooding Jr. settled a civil sexual abuse case just before trial in June of 2023, where he was accused of raping a woman in a New York City hotel a decade earlier. Meanwhile, law enforcement officials have not arrested Combs despite raiding his homes in Los Angeles and Miami, as part of ongoing investigations.
During the raids, Combs’ alleged drug “mule,” Brendan Paul, was arrested at Miami’s Opa-Locka Airport after federal agents intercepted Combs’ private plane. Paul faces charges of possession of cocaine and marijuana candy. Despite these legal troubles, Combs’ representatives and attorneys maintain his innocence and vow to continue fighting to clear his name.
One of Combs’ attorneys, Aaron Dyer, criticized the raids as a “gross use of military-level force” and expressed that Combs is innocent. During the search at Combs’ Los Angeles home, his sons Justin Combs and Christian “King” Combs were among those temporarily detained outside. As the investigation unfolds, Combs’ whereabouts remain unknown.
The allegations against both Combs and Gooding Jr. have sparked public interest, with ongoing developments shedding light on the complexity of these legal challenges. The cases against these prominent figures in the entertainment industry continue to evolve, raising questions about accountability and justice in high-profile legal disputes.