The Department of Homeland Security raided multiple homes belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs on Monday as the hip-hop mogul faces several lawsuits over accusations including physical abuse, sexual assault and sex trafficking.
“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,” the DHS said in a statement.
A spokesperson for HSI declined to comment beyond the statement and did not say how many of Combs’s homes were raided. The entertainer has homes in Los Angeles, New York and Miami.
A law enforcement official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, confirmed the searches are part of a sex-trafficking investigation.
Read also: Malawi declares state of disaster over severe drought
The source added three Jane Doe and one John Doe have been interviewed by the Southern District of New York about sex trafficking, sexual assault, and the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms related to Combs.
Newschopper4 was overhead as officials with protective gear and weapons were surrounding the property. Some of them were wearing jackets that noted they were from Homeland Security Investigations.
Video from Miami Los Angeles also showed federal authorities were present at the Florida property at the same time as authorities were raiding the LA mansion
Combs was in the Miami area when the raids were taking place, according to law enforcement sources that are familiar with the warrant service.
Investigators also seized the phones of Combs, according to sources, as the rapper was scheduled to depart for a trip to the Bahamas. It was not immediately clear how many devices or phones were seized.
“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,” the Homeland Security confirmed the raid in a statement.
Combs is facing a lawsuit by a woman, who accused the rap legend and two other men of raping her 20 years ago in a New York City recording studio when she was 17.
The woman, whose name wasn’t disclosed in the court filing, is the fourth person to file a lawsuit accusing Combs of sexual assault.
In the lawsuit, the woman said she was in 11th grade at a high school in a Detroit suburb in 2003, when she met Harve Pierre, then the president of Combs’ Bad Boy Entertainment record label, at a lounge.
She said Pierre flew her to New York on a private jet and took her to a recording studio, where she was given drugs and alcohol until she was incapable of consenting to sex. Then, the lawsuit said, Pierre, Combs and a man she didn’t know took turns raping her.
The lawsuit included photographs of the woman sitting on Combs’ lap that she said were taken on the night in question at the Daddy’s House Recording Studio.
Combs, 54, denied the allegations.
“For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy…Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”Combs said in a statement.
SOURCE:CITINEWSROOM
