LOS ANGELES — U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents have opened an investigation into hip-hop star Sean “Diddy” Combs, searching his properties in Los Angeles and the Miami area, agency officials said Monday March 25.
The investigation was conducted by agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York, where a complaint was filed against Combs by a former girlfriend in federal court in November, accusing him of engaging in sex trafficking .
Combs, 54, said he was innocent and that his accusers were looking for “a quick payday.” His New York-based lawyer, Ben Brafman, did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Los Angeles television stations broadcast aerial video footage showing HSI agents and other law enforcement raiding Combs’ palatial estate in the upscale Holmby Hills neighborhood.
The Los Angeles City News Service reported that several people were arrested outside the complex, but it was unclear whether any arrests had been made.
Local media reported that federal authorities also executed a search warrant at the rap mogul’s Miami-area home. Reuters footage showed officers entering and leaving his property on Star Island in Miami Beach, with officers seen carrying a box of equipment from the house.
Combs’ whereabouts were unknown during the raids.
HSI spokespeople, responding to a question from Reuters, said: “Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an investigation into course, with the help of HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners. “.
The press release did not specify the nature of the investigation. HSI has broad jurisdiction to investigate the illegal movements of people, goods, money, technology and contraband into, out of and through the United States, including sex trafficking.
R&B singer Cassandra Ventura sued Combs in Manhattan federal court in mid-November, accusing him of subjecting her to physical abuse, sexual slavery and rape during a professional relationship and lover of 10 years.
One of the main allegations in Ventura’s trial was that Combs forced her to engage in sex acts with prostitutes he hired while he watched and filmed the encounters.
The lawsuit alleged violations of sex trafficking and human trafficking laws under federal, New York and California laws.
Ventura and Combs, who used nicknames such as P. Diddy, Puff Daddy and Diddy, announced the next day that they had settled the case on confidential terms.
Brafman, said at the time that the settlement was “in no way an admission of wrongdoing” and that his client maintained his “categorical denial” of Ventura’s claims.
Ventura’s lawsuit was one of at least four civil complaints filed in recent months over sexual assault allegations against Combs.
In December, in response to the latest civil complaint, which accused him of participating in the gang rape of a teenage girl he arranged to take a flight from Detroit to New York 20 years ago, Combs issued a statement denying all allegations as personal fabrications. look for money.
Combs, founder of the iconic Bad Boy Records label, is one of hip-hop’s most influential producers and executives and a successful recording artist, as well as the impresario of his own Sean John clothing line.
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