Michael Balsamo and Colleen Long, Associated Press
Published on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 6:32 p.m. EDT
Last updated Monday, March 25, 2024 at 6:32 p.m. EDT
NEW YORK (AP) — Two properties owned by rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami were searched Monday by federal Homeland Security Investigations agents and other law enforcement agencies as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation by federal authorities in New York. two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press.
It is unclear whether Combs was the target of the investigation. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
In a statement, Homeland Security Investigations said it “executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with the assistance of HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners.” enforcement of laws.”
A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan declined to comment.
Messages to Combs’ attorneys and other representatives seeking comment were not immediately returned.
Several sexual assault lawsuits have been filed against Combs in recent months.
In February, a music producer filed a lawsuit alleging that Combs forced him to solicit prostitutes and pressured him to have sex with them. Combs’ attorney, Shawn Holley, said of the allegations that “we have overwhelming and indisputable evidence that his claims are complete lies.”
Combs’ former protégé and girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, sued him in November, alleging years of sexual abuse, including rape. The lawsuit says he forced her to have sex with prostitutes while he filmed them. The complaint was settled the day after it was filed.
Another of Combs’ accusers was a woman who said the rap producer raped her twenty years ago, when she was 17.
The Associated Press generally does not name people who say they were sexually abused, unless they come forward publicly as Cassie did.
Combs said in a November statement: “I did not do any of the horrible things alleged. »
Combs is one of the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the last three decades. Formerly known as Puff Daddy, he built one of hip-hop’s largest empires, paving the way for several entities attached to his famous name. He is the founder of Bad Boy Records and a three-time Grammy winner who has worked with many top artists, including Notorious BIG, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112.
Combs created the Sean John fashion clothing line, launched the music-focused Revolt TV channel and produced the reality show “Making the Band” for MTV.
