In a significant development, the homes of renowned music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs located in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other law enforcement agencies, citing a potential ongoing sex trafficking probe, as confirmed by U.S. officials on Monday.
A statement from HSI shed light on the operation, stating, “Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners. We will provide further information as it becomes available.”
Reports indicated that investigators were present at Combs’ Miami Beach residence late into the evening. Notably, Combs was reportedly absent from the Miami Beach location during the search.
This development comes amid a backdrop of multiple sexual assault allegations leveled against Combs in recent months.
In November of the previous year, two women accused the music icon of sexual abuse, with the allegations surfacing just a week after he settled a separate lawsuit with singer Cassie, which contained accusations of rape and physical abuse. The timing of these women’s lawsuits coincided with the expiration of the Adult Survivors Act in New York, allowing victims of sexual abuse a one-year window to pursue civil action regardless of the statute of limitations.
Responding to the raids on Monday, Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer representing Cassie, remarked, “We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct.”
Further complicating matters, in December of the preceding year, court documents filed in the United States District Court Southern District of New York revealed another woman accusing Combs and two other individuals of gang rape in 2003 when she was 17 years old. This lawsuit was filed under New York City’s gender-motivated violence protection law.
Adding to the legal turmoil, a male music producer filed a lawsuit last month alleging that Combs sexually assaulted him and coerced him into engaging in sexual activities with prostitutes.
As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, the future remains uncertain for the influential figure in the music industry, with these latest developments casting a shadow over his once-celebrated career.