Rapper Diddy has been named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit that claims his son sexually assaulted a woman on a yacht.
The new suit, brought forward by Grace O’Marcaigh, claims that Combs precipitated her being sexually assaulted by his son Christian ‘King’ Combs, and that he also paid the captain, who she claims was aware of the alleged crime, not to say anything. It is claimed to have occurred over the Christmas period of 2022.
This is the latest allegation brought forward against the rapper, which followed his home being raided last month in a sex trafficking investigation. In the past year, several sexual assault allegations have materialised against the musician and businessman, with one claiming he had been in an abusive relationship with the R&B singer Casandra Ventura.
Following that particular lawsuit coming to light, Diddy was faced with multiple other ones alleging the sexual abuse of multiple partners. Another recent one came from a male producer who says that Diddy forced him to have sex with prostitutes. There has also been a claim he participated in a gang rape of a 17-year-old in 2003, which he vehemently denies, like all of the other allegations.
Regarding the suit naming Diddy as co-defendant alongside his son, O’Marcaigh states she worked as a crew member and bartender on a yacht that Diddy had chartered and that Christian Combs pressured her to drink what she believes was tequila spiked with other narcotics.
It states that the younger Combs groped her breasts and genitals, and tried to force her to perform oral sex. The incident is said to have occurred in the ship’s music studio, which had microphones actively running, capturing the exchange between O’Marcaigh, who was 25 and Christian Combs, then 24.
O’Marcaigh asserts that at one point, Combs returned to the room intoxicated and insisted she drink tequila shots, which she did so out of a sense of responsibility. The suit alleges he became aggressive, violently grabbing her arm as she tried to remove herself from the situation. It continues that he began groping her and includes a transcript where she demands he get off her. She believes the alcohol was spiked as her perception turned blurry.
The suit adds that the assault then continued in the cinema, which was being utilised as a sleeping space, where O’Marcaigh was trying to find somewhere to sleep. Combs allegedly stopped after another crew member appeared.
The lawsuit maintains that Diddy “had full control of the staff and premises,” and he created the circumstances in which O’Marcaigh’s assault was tolerated and encouraged. She also states that she told the captain of the boat about the assault the following morning, but afterwards, he was paid a large sum by Diddy, which resulted in no action being taken.
The suit concludes that O’Marcaigh was ultimately fired as retaliation, and that she has suffered severe emotional trauma and has since been unable to find work in the music industry.
While claimants who allege sexual abuse aren’t customarily named, O’Marcaigh has publically come forward after consenting to her lawyers naming her. In a statement, Aaron Dyer, a legal representative for the Combs described the claim as “lewd and meritless.” He continued: “We will be filing a motion to dismiss this outrageous claim,”
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.