Sean “Diddy” Combs wants to dismiss producer Rodney Jones’ sexual harassment lawsuit

• Sean “Diddy” Combs tries to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones
• The music mogul claims that the purpose of Jones' lawsuit is to “create a media frenzy and exploit it to obtain a settlement.”
• Combs' attorney Erica Wolff claims in a statement that Jones' lawsuit is “pure fiction”

Sean “Diddy” Combs is trying to dismiss a civil lawsuit filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, a former producer and videographer who sued the music mogul for sexual assault, sexual harassment and drugging.

In the motion to dismiss, filed Monday, August 26, in federal court in the Southern District of New York and obtained by PEOPLE, Combs claims that the purpose of Jones' lawsuit is to “create a media frenzy and exploit that to compel a settlement.”

The 54-year-old “I'll Be Missing You” artist claims Jones' lawsuit is “filled with legally meaningless allegations and blatant falsehoods.” Combs claims the lawsuit is full of “exaggerations and sensationalist theatrics” and “does not contain a single valid claim” against the Bad Boy Records founder and his business partners, who are named as defendants.

In addition to denying Jones' allegations, Combs also claims that Jones was trying to “promote his personal brand and capitalize on the notoriety,” pointing to a video he posted on social media in which he laughs at his lawsuit against the rapper/producer.

Combs has requested that the RICO charge against him be dismissed because Jones has not demonstrated a “pattern of racketeering activity.” He is also requesting that the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) charge be dismissed because Jones' “threats of violence, fraud [or] The allegations of “coercion” cannot be proven.

Combs is also demanding that the sexual assault charge against him be dropped “because Jones failed to provide the most basic facts, such as where and when an alleged assault occurred or what allegedly occurred,” the lawsuit states.

“Mr. Jones' lawsuit is pure fiction – a shameless attempt to generate media hype and reach a quick settlement. There was no RICO conspiracy and Mr. Jones was not threatened, manipulated, attacked or trafficked. We look forward to proving in court that all of Mr. Jones' allegations are fabricated and must be dismissed,” Combs' attorney Erica Wolff wrote in a statement.

In an interview with Rolling Stone In the article published on Tuesday, August 27, Jones spoke out about the lawsuit and the “harsh” impact it has had on his life, including the “threats” he claims to have received and his need to be accompanied by security at his performances.

“Because of this lawsuit, most people don't want to work with me for whatever reason, whether they've worked with Puff before or they just want to sit back and wait and see what happens,” he claimed.

Jones also claims he was blacklisted in the music industry, adding: “I've had many nights, weeks and months of suicidal thoughts. It's music that has kept me alive my whole life.”

Representatives for Jones have not yet responded to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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On February 26, Jones sued Combs for $30 million in damages, claiming that the rapper had previously sexually harassed, drugged and threatened him while working with the “Last Night” artist on his latest album. Love Album from September 2022 to November 2023.

But Combs has been facing a series of sexual assault allegations since November 2023. He made headlines back then after his ex, Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, filed a high-profile lawsuit against him, alleging that he raped and sexually trafficked her for ten years.

Just one day after the lawsuit was filed, it was settled to the “mutual satisfaction” of both parties. Since then, however, more people have come forward, some accusing Diddy of abuse, sex trafficking and gang rape.

In a statement provided to PEOPLE on December 6, Combs addressed the allegations, saying, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Over the past few weeks, I have stood by in silence as people have attempted to destroy my reputation and my legacy. I have been subjected to vile accusations made against me by people looking for a quick payday.”

In March 2024, Combs' belongings were searched by federal agents. A representative for Homeland Security Investigations told PEOPLE this was “part of an ongoing investigation.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to Rainn.org.