A music producer who filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs has now accused actor Cuba Gooding Jr. of sexually harassing and assaulting him, an amended federal complaint filed in Manhattan shows. The producer, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, originally filed the lawsuit in February, alleging that Combs forced him to procure sex workers and pressured him to engage in unwelcome sex acts. The amended suit alleges that Gooding groped Jones while on Combs’ yacht, touching his legs, inner thighs, back, and shoulders. Gooding has not been charged with any crime in this case, but has previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in 2022.
Jones said the incident with Gooding occurred on a yacht rented by Combs in the U.S. Virgin Islands in January 2023. The lawsuit accuses Gooding of sexual assault and misconduct, claiming he did not stop touching Jones until forcibly pushed away. Federal officials searched Combs’ homes as part of an investigation into allegations involving sex trafficking, assault, illegal narcotics, and firearms. Representatives for Combs have not commented on the matter, but he has faced civil cases filed by four women, with one settled quickly and three pending. Combs has denied the allegations and stated he will fight for his name, family, and the truth.
On Monday, Homeland Security Investigations executed search warrants at properties belonging to Combs in Los Angeles and Miami, though it is unclear what the searches entailed. There is no information connecting Gooding to the searches. Gooding has not been charged in connection to this case, but did plead guilty in 2022 to a misdemeanor charge that he forcibly kissed a nightclub worker in 2018. He completed counseling and ended with a lesser harassment violation, avoiding jail time. The lawsuit filed by Jones alleges that Gooding engaged in sexual assault and misconduct on Combs’ yacht, while also pointing out that he worked on Combs’ latest album, “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” which was released in September 2023 and nominated for a Grammy.
The lawsuit also states that Jones worked on the album but was not fully compensated by Motown Records and others who benefitted from his work. The amended complaint filed by attorneys for Jones includes a declaration from former Motown Records CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam, who appears willing to testify regarding the contract for “The Love Album”. A spokesperson for Universal Music Group, which owns Motown Records, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter. The allegations in the lawsuit include claims of sexual assault and misconduct against Gooding while on Combs’ yacht, as well as allegations of withholding compensation for work done on Combs’ album. Combs has been accused of misconduct by four women in civil cases, with one settled quickly and three pending. Combs has denied the allegations and stated his intent to fight for his name, family, and the truth.
