In a significant development in the ongoing legal troubles surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs, Jodeci member DeVante Swing has been temporarily removed from a lawsuit that accused him of involvement in the alleged sexual assault of a minor.
In a legal maneuver that has caught the attention of the entertainment world, accuser Liza Gardner has voluntarily dismissed all claims against DeVante Swing in her lawsuit that alleges serious misconduct dating back to the 1990s. The dismissal, filed on January 15, comes without prejudice—meaning Gardner retains the right to pursue claims against the R&B producer in the future.
Gardner’s lawsuit originally made disturbing allegations against multiple music industry figures. According to court documents, Gardner accused Combs and R&B star Aaron Hall of sexually assaulting her at Hall’s New York City apartment during the 1990s when she was just 16 years old. The complaint specifically alleged that Swing “trafficked” her from North Carolina to New York and New Jersey while acting as her “co-guardian.”
The professional relationship between DeVante Swing and Diddy dates back to their time at Uptown Records in the early 1990s. As highlighted in court documents, Swing worked closely with Combs during Jodeci’s time with the label, where Combs served as an A&R representative. This business relationship placed both men in the same professional circles during the period when the alleged assault took place.
The lawsuit characterized their relationship in stark terms, suggesting Swing used his position to facilitate access to the minor for Combs. Court filings referred to Combs as “his A&R,” indicating a professional hierarchy between the two music industry figures at the time of the alleged incidents.
The lawsuit contained particularly troubling claims that Swing provided the then-minor with alcohol and marijuana before “prostituting” her to Combs. Perhaps most disturbing was the allegation, corroborated by a witness statement, that Swing was present during the alleged assault but did not intervene.
“[DeVante was] leaning against the wall or furniture or something, watching whatever Puffy was doing to Liza,” read a witness statement from Gardner’s friend, who recently broke her silence about the alleged incident.
The original complaint further stated that Swing “had a duty to protect [Gardner] as her parents entrusted him with her safety” and accused him of trafficking a minor across state lines “with the hidden intention” of providing her with substances and “prostituting the child.”
While Swing has not publicly commented on the allegations, Combs has vehemently denied Gardner’s claims through his representatives, calling them “fabricated claims falsely alleging misconduct from over 30 years ago” and “nothing but a money grab.”
This lawsuit represents just one of reportedly over 100 complaints against Combs, who currently awaits trial on federal sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Gardner was among the first accusers to come forward after Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie filed her initial lawsuit accusing him of sex trafficking and sexual assault.
