DeVante Swing removed from Diddy rape lawsuit accusing mogul of assaulting 16-year-old

DeVante Swing is removed from the rape lawsuit filed against Diddy, but charges can still be refiled.

Jodeci member DeVante Swing has been officially removed from the rape lawsuit filed last year, which had implicated him alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs.

In a legal filing submitted On January 15, 2025 by attorney Tyrone Blackburn, Liza Gardner, the victim of the alleged assault, has “voluntarily” dismissed all claims against Swing without prejudice, meaning the charges could be refiled in the future.

The original lawsuit, which was filed in 2024, accused Diddy and singer Aaron Hall of sexually assaulting Gardner in 1990. Swing was also named in the suit, with allegations that he was present during the assault. Gardner claimed that Swing, who was in his early twenties at the time, did not intervene or take any action to stop the abuse. A witness statement previously alleged that Swing was seen "leaning against the wall or furniture" during the incident, passively observing what was happening.

In addition to these accusations, Swing was also said to have played a role in the events leading up to the assault. Gardner’s lawsuit suggested that Swing, who had been appointed as Gardner’s "co-guardian," invited her on a trip to New York, where the alleged rape took place. It further claimed that Swing trafficked Gardner across state lines, providing her with alcohol, marijuana, and facilitating the abuse at the hands of Diddy and Hall.

Gardner’s suit came after accusations from Diddy’s ex-girlfriend, Cassie, who filed a similar lawsuit alleging sex trafficking and sexual assault. Diddy has consistently denied all accusations, calling them “fabricated claims” and dismissing the lawsuits as attempts for financial gain.

While Swing’s legal troubles may have temporarily subsided, the case continues to attract attention, as Diddy faces ongoing scrutiny over the allegations.