Former Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs bodyguard Joseph Sherman took legal action on Friday, filing a civil lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against Thalia Graves and her attorney Gloria Allred, among others. Sherman’s suit asserts claims of defamation and emotional distress, arising from a previous lawsuit launched by Graves and Allred on September 24, 2024, where Sherman was named a defendant alongside Combs. Sherman alleges that Graves attempted to blackmail him, presenting pages of text messages as evidence in his complaint.
The lawsuit states that Sherman stopped working for Combs in 1999 and asserts he was not involved with Combs in 2001 when Graves claims that both he and Combs raped her. Moreover, Sherman contends that he has never met Graves. The court documents detail how Graves allegedly tried to coerce him into giving false testimony against Combs by revealing threats such as, “if you will be my witness against Diddy, then my attorneys will leave you out of any proceedings. … I will make sure the state does not pick up charges or rape charges against you.”
Critics have suggested this incident reflects a larger pattern of misconduct involving Allred, raising questions about her motivations and her role in discrediting the accusations against Combs. She is the only attorney suing Combs who has faced a counter lawsuit. Sherman went public shortly after the original claims, asserting his innocence and shedding light on what he describes as an extortion attempt by Graves.
Controversy surrounds Allred due to her connections with colleagues like Mark Geragos, another lawyer embroiled in various scandals, as well as disgraced private investigator Anthony Pellicano. Allegations circulate around the suggestion that this trio operates cohesively, engaging in organized legal misconduct. Their past associations have surfaced during high-profile cases, prompting discussions about potential corruption and witness tampering.
Allred has faced scrutiny from various investigations, pointing to alleged moral and ethical violations linked to her practice. Critics of her legal strategy argue that the move in the Diddy case intended to undermine the credibility of other individuals coming forward with claims against him, claiming her actions were misguided.
Sherman’s attorney emphasized that false accusations damage both innocent defendants and actual victims of sexual assault, calling for accountability for those who exploit the legal system for monetary gain. The evolving legal battle raises significant questions about the professional conduct of attorneys and their influence in high-stakes cases.
