Founding Jodeci member Devante Swing has been removed from a sexual assault lawsuit filed against music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Filed by Liza Gardner, the lawsuit claimed she was sexually assaulted by Diddy when she was 16, with allegations of Swing’s involvement sparking controversy.

In a legal filing submitted through her attorney Tyrone Blackburn, Gardner announced her decision to “voluntarily dismiss all claims” against Swing without prejudice.

This means Gardner reserves the right to refile accusations against Swing in the future. While the dismissal may seem like a victory for the singer, it doesn’t necessarily suggest exoneration.

The lawsuit included explosive claims that Swing acted as Gardner’s “co-guardian” during the time of the alleged assault and contributed to the situation’s creation.

Gardner accused Swing of trafficking her across state lines from North Carolina to New York and New Jersey, supplying her with alcohol and marijuana, and “prostituting” her to Diddy.

She also said that Swing was present in the room during the assault and failed to intervene.

Gardner’s lawsuit included a witness statement from a friend who said that Swing was observed “leaning against the wall or furniture or something, watching whatever Puffy was doing to Liza.”

The lawsuit accused Swing of aiding and abetting Diddy in the alleged assault.

Swing, who has not publicly commented on being dropped from the suit, has yet to respond to these claims as of the latest updates.

Sean “Diddy” Combs is fighting back against prosecutors’ claims regarding his “freak offs,” claiming the tapes show no evidence of abuse and in fact, “confirm Mr. Combs’s innocence” because they only show sexual activity among “consenting adults.” 

In a new filing on Tuesday (January 14), Diddy’s attorneys claim they have reviewed nine videos of “so-called ‘freak off’ tapes” regarding a person referred to as “Victim-1,” clearly describing Cassie Ventura.  

Furthermore, despite her lawsuit claims, Diddy’s lawyers argue Ventura apparently “thoroughly enjoyed herself,” in the videos. 

“Contrary to what the government has led this Court and the public to believe, the so-called ‘Freak Offs’ were private sexual activity between fully consenting adults in a long-term relationship,” defense attorneys Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos said. 

Ventura sued Diddy for rape and years of abuse in her November 2023 lawsuit. She detailed the “freak offs,” alleging Diddy forced her to have sex with male prostitutes while he watched. The suit claimed the drug-fueled events could last for days, and guests often need IV drips to recover.  

Diddy’s Attorneys Argue Cassie Ventura Appeared “In Control”

However, Diddy’s lawyers paint a different picture of the “freak offs.” 

“These videos unambiguously show that the person alleged in the indictment to be ‘Victim-1’ not only consented but thoroughly enjoyed herself,” the defense said. They also describe Ventura as “evidently happy, dominant and completely in control.” 

Diddy’s defense team also says the tapes were not covertly recorded, stating, “There are no secret cameras, no orgies, no other celebrities involved, no underground tunnels, no minors, and not so much as a hint of coercion or violence.” 

Diddy’s attorneys assert that the tapes contain no evidence of violence, coercion, threats, manipulation, drug use or excessive alcohol consumption. 

“There is certainly no evidence of sex trafficking,” the filing reads.  

Diddy is awaiting trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges.