Two properties belonging to
Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs have been searched by federal agents as part of an investigation into sex trafficking, authorities told the Associated Press. The homes in
Los Angeles and Miami were searched on Monday by federal Homeland Security Investigations agents and other law enforcement officials. It’s not clear whether Combs was the target of the investigation, which is being conducted by federal authorities in
New York. The officials were not authorised 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 assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.” A spokesperson for the US attorney’s office in Manhattan declined to comment. Messages to Combs’ lawyers and other representatives seeking comment were not immediately returned. A
police line was set up around the Los Angeles house in the wealthy Holmby Hills neighborhood near Beverly Hills. Helicopter video from KABC-TV showed a group of agents with vests that indicated they were from Homeland Security Investigations gathered in the home’s backyard near the pool. A command post was set up outside the house and agents were still entering and leaving hours after the search began. There have been several
Sexual Assault lawsuits filed against Combs in recent months. In February a
music producer filed a lawsuit alleging Combs coerced him to solicit prostitutes and pressured him to have sex with them. Combs’ attorney Shawn Holley has said of those allegations that “we have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies.” Combs’ former protege and girlfriend, the R&B
Singer Cassie, sued him in November alleging years of
Sexual Abuse, including rape. The lawsuit said he forced her to have sex with male prostitutes while he filmed them. The suit was settled the day after it was filed. Another of Combs’ accusers was a woman who said the rap producer raped her two decades ago when she was 17. In a December statement, Combs said: “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.” Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer who represents Cassie and another woman who sued Combs, said on Monday: “Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr Combs responsible for his depraved conduct.” It is not clear whether the search is related to any of the allegations raised in the lawsuits. With agencies