Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs facing new sexual assault allegations

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is facing new sexual assault allegations.

The 54-year-old rap star — who is currently awaiting trial on federal sex crime charges — and his former bodyguard, Joseph Sherman, have been accused of raping Thalia Graves at the Bad Boy Records studio in New York City in the summer of 2001.

During a press conference about the new lawsuit on Tuesday (Sept 24), Graves explained that the alleged assault left her feeling “worthless and isolated”.

Graves claimed that she’s suffered PTSD, flashbacks, nightmares and thoughts of suicide over the last 23 years.

She added: “It’s a pain that reaches into your very core.”

Combs is currently in jail in New York awaiting trial, and Graves observed that his situation has provided a “temporary feeling of relief”.

She said: “I’m glad Diddy is locked up but that’s a temporary feeling of relief.”

Combs’ legal team has not yet responded to the latest allegations.

However, Combs pleaded not guilty to allegations of sex trafficking earlier this month.

The rap star appeared at a court in Manhattan after being charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Asked during a court hearing how he pleaded to the charges, Combs replied: “Not guilty.”

The rapper’s lawyers subsequently requested that Combs be freed on bond, pending trial, after paying a sum of US$50 million (S$64 million).

However, following a lengthy debate between legal teams on whether Combs represents a flight risk, Magistrate Judge Robyn Tarnofsky announced that the rap star will remain in detention until his sex trafficking trial begins.

Marc Agnifilo — Combs’ lawyer — said later that the music star is determined to “establish his innocence”.

Agnifilo told reporters outside the court: “He’s going to fight this. He’s innocent. He came to New York to establish his innocence.

“We believe in him wholeheartedly. He didn’t do these things. There’s no coercion and no crime.”