Joseph Sherman Files Civil Suit Against Thalia Graves and Gloria Allred Amid Defamation and Blackmail Allegations

Joseph Sherman, former bodyguard to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, has filed a civil lawsuit against Thalia Graves and attorney Gloria Allred, claiming defamation and emotional distress, arising from allegations of blackmail tied to earlier legal actions. Critics have raised concerns over potential misconduct involving Allred and her associations, sparking broader discussions about the implications for the #MeToo movement.

Former Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs bodyguard, Joseph Sherman, has initiated a civil lawsuit against Thalia Graves and her attorney, Gloria Allred, claiming defamation and emotional distress. The suit was filed on Friday in the Southern District of New York and follows a previous lawsuit brought by Graves and Allred on September 24, 2024, where Sherman is a named defendant alongside Diddy. Sherman accuses Graves of attempting to blackmail him, presenting text messages allegedly exchanged between them as evidence.

Sherman’s lawsuit argues that he ceased working for Combs in 1999, and denies any encounter with Graves, who claims to have been raped by Combs and Sherman in 2001. He alleges that Graves sought to coerce him into providing false testimony against Diddy, suggesting that if he complied, legal issues against him would be dismissed. This raises potential issues surrounding the motives of those involved in such legal actions.

The legal battle has led to criticisms aimed at Gloria Allred, with some suggesting a pattern of misconduct may be at play, as well as a broader effort to undermine the credibility of Diddy’s accusers. Critics have highlighted the questionable motivations behind the suit filed by Allred and Graves, with Sherman promptly denying the allegations and noting the extortive nature of Graves’ communications.

Furthermore, there are deepening concerns about Allred’s history and associations, particularly with attorney Mark Geragos and private investigator Anthony Pellicano. Both Allred and Geragos have previously been scrutinized for their involvement in controversial cases, with allegations of witness tampering surfacing in past legal proceedings they handled. The shared association with Pellicano, who has a notorious history regarding blackmail and evidence manipulation, compounds these worries, leading some to observe they may represent organized criminal interests.

Allegations surrounding Allred have extended beyond mere legal strategy, with accusations of racketeering and misconduct in various cases. Observers have called for scrutiny of her actions, especially concerning her connection to multiple controversial legal figures and her previous clients.

In what some consider a strategic miscalculation, Allred's recent legal maneuver in the Diddy case may have unintended consequences, particularly regarding claims made by other alleged victims. Joseph Sherman’s attorney, Darnell D. Crosland, articulated a concern for the integrity of the #MeToo movement, emphasizing the impact of false accusations on both the accused and true victims of sexual assault.

As this legal saga continues, discussions about integrity, justice, and accountability remain at the forefront of public dialogue, with the actions of those like Allred drawing renewed scrutiny in the context of significant allegations against prominent figures in the entertainment industry.