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Federal Homeland Security Investigations agents, alongside other law enforcement agencies, conducted searches at two properties owned by rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami this Monday. These actions are part of a sex trafficking probe being led by federal officials in New York, according to two law enforcement sources who spoke to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity, as they were not cleared to discuss the ongoing investigation publicly.
The involvement of Combs in the investigation remains uncertain. Homeland Security Investigations has confirmed the execution of law enforcement actions related to an ongoing case, with support from its divisions in Los Angeles and Miami, as well as local police forces.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan has chosen not to comment on the matter.
Attempts to reach Combs’ legal and representation teams for comments have so far gone unanswered.
Diddy under investigation following multiple lawsuits
Recent times have seen multiple sexual assault lawsuits lodged against Combs. In one instance, a music producer sued Combs in February, accusing him of forcing the producer to procure prostitutes and to engage sexually with them. Combs’ legal representative, Shawn Holley, has refuted these allegations, claiming to possess conclusive evidence disproving the claims.
In another lawsuit filed in November, Combs’ former protege and girlfriend, R&B artist Cassie, accused him of years of sexual abuse, including rape. She claimed he coerced her into having sex with male prostitutes while he recorded the acts. This lawsuit was settled immediately after its filing.
Another accusation against Combs comes from a woman who alleges she was raped by the music mogul two decades ago when she was 17.
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The Associated Press typically refrains from naming individuals who report sexual abuse unless they opt to identify themselves publicly, as Cassie has done.
Combs has denied all allegations of misconduct in a statement from November, asserting his innocence against the claims.
As a towering figure in hip-hop, Combs, formerly known as Puff Daddy, has been instrumental in shaping the genre over the last thirty years. He founded Bad Boy Records and has earned three Grammy Awards, collaborating with major artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher. Beyond music, Combs has ventured into fashion with his Sean John line, established the Revolt TV channel focusing on music, and produced the reality show “Making the Band” for MTV.
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