Two properties owned by music icon Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami were reportedly raided on Monday by agents from the federal Homeland Security Investigations and other law enforcement agencies.
This action is said to be part of an ongoing investigation into s** trafficking led by federal authorities in New York, according to two officials familiar with the matter who spoke anonymously to The Associated Press.
The focus of the investigation remains unclear, as the officials refrained from sharing specific details due to the sensitive nature of the case.
Homeland Security Investigations released a statement confirming that they conducted law enforcement operations in collaboration with HSI branches in Los Angeles and Miami, along with local law enforcement partners.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan declined to provide any comments regarding the situation, while attempts to reach out to Combs’ legal team and representatives for a response have so far been unsuccessful.
A visible police presence surrounded Combs’ Los Angeles residence located in the affluent Holmby Hills neighborhood near Beverly Hills.
Footage captured by KABC-TV’s helicopter showed agents wearing Homeland Security Investigations vests gathered in the backyard of the property.
A command center was established outside the house, and agents were seen entering and exiting the premises throughout the day.
Recent months have seen multiple s**ual assault lawsuits filed against Combs.
In one instance, a music producer accused him of coercing solicitation of prostitutes and pressuring him into s**ual activities.
Combs’ attorney, Shawn Holley, vehemently denied these claims, asserting the existence of substantial evidence proving their falsehood.
Moreover, the R&B singer Cassie, a former associate and romantic partner of Combs, filed a lawsuit last November alleging years of s**ual abuse, including rape.
The lawsuit detailed instances where she was allegedly coerced into engaging in s**ual acts with male escorts while being recorded.
The suit was swiftly settled the day after it was submitted.
Another accuser of Combs claimed that the music mogul raped her when she was 17, approximately two decades ago.
Generally, The Associated Press refrains from naming individuals who report instances of s**ual abuse unless they choose to disclose their identities publicly, as Cassie did in this case.
In a statement released in December, Combs explicitly denied all allegations levelled against him.
Douglas Wigdor, the lawyer representing Cassie and another woman in their suits against Combs, expressed hope that the recent developments would hold Combs accountable for his alleged misconduct.
It remains uncertain whether the search of Combs’ properties is directly linked to the accusations outlined in the aforementioned lawsuits.
Combs has played a pivotal role in shaping the hip-hop industry over the past thirty years, having founded Bad Boy Records and collaborated with esteemed artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher, among others.
Beyond his musical endeavors, Combs ventured into fashion with his clothing line Sean John, established the Revolt TV channel focusing on music content, and produced the popular reality show “Making the Band” for MTV.
His most recent album, “The Love Album – Off the Grid,” debuted last year following his recognition at the MTV VMAs.
The entertainment sector has grappled with a series of s**ual misconduct allegations in recent years, particularly since the emergence of the #MeToo movement in 2017.
While figures like Harvey Weinstein and Danny Masterson are serving prison terms for rape convictions, the music industry has also faced its share of controversies, with R. Kelly imprisoned for s**ual abuse and accusations against Russell Simmons and Steven Tyler.
Weinstein, Masterson, and Kelly are currently appealing their convictions, and Simmons has refuted the allegations against him.
One lawsuit involving Tyler has been dismissed, while he contests the other in court.
