Joseph Sherman, a former bodyguard who once worked security for Sean “Diddy” Combs, has spoken out after being named in a lawsuit accusing him and Diddy of rape. The lawsuit, filed by Thalia Graves, alleges that both men assaulted her, but Sherman vehemently denies the claim, stating that Graves has the “wrong man.”
In an exclusive interview with WNBC’s Sarah Wallace, Sherman expressed his frustration over the accusations. “It’s a lie on me,” he said, adding that he has never met Graves in his life. He also disputed the claim that he was Diddy’s “head of security” at the time of the alleged incident.
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According to Sherman, he did work for Diddy in the ‘90s, but not in 2001—the year the lawsuit alleges the assault took place. Sherman further revealed that he started receiving Instagram messages from an account in November 2023 that has since been linked to Graves. According to WNBC, the connection between the account and Graves was confirmed. Some of the messages allegedly implied that Sherman would be excluded from legal action if he agreed to testify against Diddy.
Sherman believes these messages are evidence of him being used as a scapegoat for declining to cooperate in bringing down the hip-hop mogul. “Does she know what this has done to me? It’s destroyed my family and my livelihood,” Sherman emotionally shared during the interview. He plans to file a counterclaim, accusing Graves of defamation.
Meanwhile, Diddy remains in custody in New York, facing serious charges including racketeering and trafficking. He has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, described the charges as part of an “unjust prosecution,” maintaining that Diddy is innocent and will clear his name in court. The lawsuit against Diddy and Sherman follows months of controversy.
Earlier this year, surveillance footage from 2016 was made public, showing Diddy physically assaulting Cassie. While Diddy has since apologized for the incident and taken responsibility, the legal challenges continue to mount, complicating his ongoing defense.
As Sherman prepares for his legal battle, he remains adamant that he’s been wrongly accused and vows to restore his reputation. Next Steps: A Counterclaim for Defamation With Sherman determined to prove his innocence, the next step in his legal strategy will be to file a defamation lawsuit. His case adds yet another layer to the already complicated legal situation surrounding Diddy, who continues to face multiple accusations and mounting scrutiny.