Jodeci’s DeVante Swing named co-defendant in bragging attack lawsuit

DeVante Swing is arguably the most important member of Jodeci. He was the writer and producer of the band’s biggest hits in the ’90s. He is also an in-house producer at Uptown Records, the label Diddy worked for before founding Bad Boy. Diddy is credited with helping improve Jodeci’s image as a rebellious alternative to Boyz II Men. Unfortunately, the mogul’s association has now put DeVante Swing in hot water, legally speaking. He has been named as a new co-defendant in a lawsuit involving Diddy and artist Aaron Hall.

Liza Gardner filed a lawsuit against Diddy and Aaron Hall back in November 2023. She was only 16 years old at the time. She claimed they took advantage of her after providing her with alcohol at Hall’s home. Now, Gardner has added DeVante Swing to the list of defendants. She claimed that Swing was not only at the residence where the alleged sexual assault occurred, but also claimed that the Jodeci star was in the room with Diddy and Hall at the time of the incident. Rolling Stone obtained the amended lawsuit and provided key quotes.

“Ms. Gardner was unaware of the incident at the time,” court documents state. “The accused Swain was in the room at the time of the attack but did nothing to prevent the abuse from happening.” Another woman who claimed to have been involved in the attack joined in. The charges grew more serious. Gardner claimed that the artist was the one who brought her to the Hall home in the first place.

She considered DeVante Swing her “co-guardian” at the time because she was a teenager and he was 21. Got him. The amended lawsuit further scolds DeVante Swing for “providing alcohol and marijuana to children and prostitution of children to his A&R Combs.” Swing has yet to respond to the allegations. The artist is currently on a European tour with Joe Desi.