In Thalia Graves’ ongoing legal battle against Sean “Diddy” Combs and Joseph “Big Joe” Sherman, new insights have emerged from Gene Deal, a former bodyguard to the stars that has shed light on Ms. Graves’ efforts to gather information about the alleged sexual assault and the existence of a purported videotape of the incident, which Graves claims has circulated since 2001.
Thalia Graves Reached Out To Gene Deal
In an interview with The Art of Dialogue, Mr. Deal says Ms. Graves reached out to him approximately one year ago. Their interactions were brief, consisting of phone calls where Graves sought information related to her case.
“We just had brief conversations for about a week or some. She’d call me one day and then we’d talk a little bit. Then I’d get back with her, then she’d call me back. She was trying to find out information and everything like that but I really couldn’t help her.”
During these discussions, Graves identified Sherman as a key figure in her allegations. Deal explains:
“She told me the guy’s name. She said, ‘Gene, I know it wasn’t you.’ You know, she told me her credentials. She said, ‘Gene, I went to college, I come from a reputable family. I live out your way, where you’re at.’ And she said do I know this bodyguard named Big Joe.”
This acknowledgment highlights the weight of the claims against Sherman, as Graves attempts to piece together the circumstances of her alleged assault.
Allegations of a Sex Tape
In an alarming revelation, Mr. Deal stated that Ms. Graves confided in him about the existence of a videotape of the alleged sexual assault by Messrs. Combs and Sherman. He said:
“She told me that she’d heard about this tape floating around of Puffy sexually assaulting her, and I was like, ‘Wow,’”
While Deal refrained from directly commenting on the veracity of the tape’s existence, he acknowledged the rumors circulating in their community. He remarked:
“I was told—and this is the word around town—that the tape exists. I never saw the tape. I never knew anybody who said they saw the tape.”
Deal emphasized that, within certain circles in Harlem, information regarding high-profile individuals and their actions can travel quickly. He said:
“When you have a certain status in Harlem, you are privy to a lot of information. There was talk that a tape like that existed, but how true it was, I don’t know.”
Big Joe Sherman’s Denials and Counterclaims
Joseph “Big Joe” Sherman has categorically denied all allegations against him and Mr. Combs, labeling Ms. Graves’ lawsuit as a “money grab.” Mr. Sherman has also announced plans to countersue, framing Ms. Graves’ actions as financially motivated rather than grounded in a genuine pursuit of justice.
In his communications with Mr. Deal, Mr. Sherman expressed skepticism about Ms. Graves’ claims, insisting that she lacked substantial evidence to support her allegations. According to Mr. Deal:
“He said that tape doesn’t exist.”
Gene Deal Appears To Confirm The Existence of the Sex Tape
Intriguingly, Mr. Deal revealed that he had heard rumors suggesting that the contents of the alleged tape could provide enough material for individuals to extort Mr. Combs.
“I was told–and this is the word around town–that the tape exists […] I heard there was enough on the tape that people could blackmail Puff.”
Conclusion
As Thalia Graves prepares for her legal battle against Messrs. Combs and Sherman, the ongoing revelations bring to continue to pull back the curtain on the disturbing interplay of power and exploitation within the entertainment industry. Ms. Graves’ determination to pursue her case, despite the challenges she faces, is the embodiment of a broader movement among victim-survivors to hold powerful figures accountable for their crimes.
