Joseph Sherman Files Civil Suit Against Thalia Graves and Gloria Allred for Defamation and Emotional Distress

Former bodyguard Joseph Sherman has initiated a civil lawsuit against Thalia Graves and attorney Gloria Allred, alleging defamation and emotional distress after Graves accused Sherman of involvement in a rape case against music mogul Sean Combs. Sherman maintains he was not present during the alleged incident and accuses Graves of attempting to blackmail him for false testimony.

Joseph Sherman, a former bodyguard for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, has filed a civil lawsuit against Thalia Graves and her attorney, Gloria Allred, alleging defamation and emotional distress. The lawsuit was officially filed in the Southern District of New York, following a previous lawsuit initiated by Graves and Allred on September 24, 2024, which named Sherman as a defendant alongside Combs.

In his complaint, Sherman contends that Graves attempted to blackmail him with intentions of coercing false testimony against Combs. He presents evidence in the form of text messages from Graves, stating terms such as, "if you will be my witness against Diddy, then my attorneys will leave you out of any proceedings." Sherman asserts that he ceased working for Combs in 1999 and was not present during the alleged incident in 2001, claiming he has never met Graves.

The case raises broader questions about the motives behind Graves' allegations and the involvement of Allred, who has faced criticism for a perceived pattern of misconduct. Critics argue that this may be part of a larger strategy aimed at undermining the credibility of other alleged victims of Combs. Notably, Allred is currently the only plaintiff's attorney suing Combs who has faced a countersuit.

Accusations surrounding Allred are not new, as she has previously been embroiled in controversies tied to both her legal tactics and associations with defense attorney Mark Geragos. Both Allred and Geragos have been implicated in numerous high-profile cases, raising doubts about their credibility and intent. Sources have surfaced suggesting that both attorneys share a connection to Anthony Pellicano, a convicted felon known for blackmailing and tampering with witnesses, further complicating the narrative surrounding the current legal battles.

In a broader context, the allegations against Allred prompt discussions of organized misconduct, leading many observers to demand a comprehensive investigation into her activities and those of her associates. The fallout from this lawsuit could have significant repercussions for both Sherman and the credibility of the claims being made against Sean Combs.

Sherman’s attorney, Darnell D. Crosland, articulated the broader implications of false accusations in the #MeToo movement, emphasizing the suffering of innocent individuals entwined in such false claims, alongside the genuine victims of sexual assault. As the situation continues to unfold, the spotlight remains on the integrity of the legal strategies employed and their impact on the ongoing discourse regarding sexual misconduct and accountability in high-profile cases.