Jodeci’s DeVanté Swing Accused of Aiding Diddy in Alleged Rape of 16-Year-Old Girl

Jodeci member DeVanté Swing has been named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit accusing Sean “Diddy” Combs and singer Aaron Hall of sexually assaulting Liza Gardner in 1990. Gardner, who was 16 at the time, originally sued Diddy and Hall earlier this year but has since amended the lawsuit to include Swing.

Gardner alleges that Swing, who was in his early 20s at the time, was present during the assault and failed to intervene. According to the amended lawsuit obtained by Rolling Stone, it claims, “Unbeknownst to Ms. Gardner at the time, Defendant Swing was in the room when this assault took place and did not take any steps to prevent this abuse from occurring.”

A sworn statement from a witness also alleges that Swing was “leaning against the wall or furniture” while Diddy assaulted Gardner.

At the time of the alleged incident, Swing had reportedly invited Gardner on a trip to New York and served as her “co-guardian.” The lawsuit further accuses Swing of trafficking Gardner across state lines from North Carolina to New York and New Jersey with the intention of providing her with alcohol and marijuana, before prostituting her to Diddy.

Swing has not yet responded to these allegations.

Gardner was one of the first to accuse Diddy of sexual misconduct following a high-profile lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend Cassie, who accused him of sex trafficking and sexual assault. Gardner claimed in her original suit that Diddy and Hall took turns raping her and a friend after meeting them at MCA Records’ offices in New York.

The complaint details Gardner’s experience, stating that she recalls feeling the during the alleged assault. According to her, Diddy forcefully mounted her, pulled up her skirt, moved her underwear aside, and penetrated her. Gardner also accused Diddy of physically abusing her in the days following the assault.

Diddy has denied all accusations against him, stating through his representatives that these are “fabricated claims” from more than 30 years ago, aimed at extorting money. His representatives called the allegations a “money grab,” dismissing them as false and last-minute filings.

As the lawsuit continues, both Diddy and DeVanté Swing have not issued public statements regarding the latest developments, leaving the music world watching closely as the case unfolds.

The case adds another chapter to the ongoing legal battles involving high-profile figures in the music industry, bringing further attention to allegations of misconduct from decades past.