DeVante Swing: Jodeci Member Identified as Co-Defendant in Diddy Lawsuit

According to a report from Rolling Stone, Donald DeGrate, also known as DeVante Swing, has been newly implicated as a co-defendant in a legal case alongside Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Aaron Hall. The magazine mentioned that updated court documents indicated Swing was allegedly present during the incidents where the plaintiff, Liza Gardner, claims she was raped by the two musicians.

In the initial lawsuit filed last November, Gardner stated that the alleged assault occurred in 1990 at Hall’s New Jersey home. At the time, she claimed to be just 16 years old and heavily intoxicated.

DeVante Swing is recognized as a rapper, songwriter, and producer, famed as a founding member of the R&B group Jodeci. He made a significant impact with hits such as Forever My Lady, Stay, and Cry For You. Additionally, he established the music collective Swing Mob, which included talents like Timbaland, Magoo, Missy Elliott, and Ginuwine.

Claims in Liza Gardner’s amended lawsuit regarding DeVante Swing as her “co-guardian”

The amended lawsuit by Liza Gardner indicates that she had encountered Sean Combs and Aaron Hall at an MCA Records event, which Hall was affiliated with at the time. Subsequently, she followed them to Hall’s apartment for an afterparty, accompanied by a friend.

Gardner alleged that Diddy “forcefully”raped her by pulling aside her underwear, leaving her “shocked and traumatized.”As she was dressing, she claimed Hall entered the room and also assaulted her.

The updated documents further suggested that DeVante Swing was “present”during the alleged incidents but failed to intervene. Rolling Stone reported, citing the lawsuit:

“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.”

Furthermore, Gardner’s amendment followed a sworn statement from another woman in May, who claimed to be the minor who was with Gardner and observed Swing “leaning against the wall or furniture or something, watching whatever Puffy was doing to Liza.”

The amendment asserted that Gardner traveled to New York accompanied by DeVante and friends from her hometown. Reports indicate that Gardner was staying with him in Jodeci’s New Jersey residence provided by Uptown Records, a subsidiary of MCA.

The revised allegations accuse Diddy and Hall of sexual assault and battery, while Swing faces charges of aiding and abetting the supposed misconduct. According to Rolling Stone, the amendments also characterize Swing as being Gardner’s “co-guardian”at the time since he invited her along on the trip. The magazine cited the lawsuit:

“He had a duty to protect the child as her parents entrusted him with her safety. He trafficked and or coerced the child (to) travel across state lines from North Carolina to New York and New Jersey with the hidden intention of providing the child with alcohol, and marijuana and prostituting the child to his A&R Combs.”

Additionally, the lawsuit includes claims regarding “transportation of a minor with intent to engage in illegal sexual activity.”

Diddy has vehemently denied all allegations, claiming it is a smear campaign orchestrated by someone seeking financial gain. He has been indicted on serious charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and facilitating prostitution. His pre-trial hearing is set for Thursday.

As of now, DeVante Swing has not made any public comments regarding these developments.

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