Facing multiple accusation of rape and sex trafficking, Sean “Diddy” Combs saw his homes in L.A. and Miami raid Monday by the federal government.
“Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations 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,” a spokesperson for the federal agency told Deadline. “We will provide further information as it becomes available.”
There is no official confirmation that Combs, aka Diddy, is the direct target of the investigation. However, a well placed law enforcement source tells Deadline that Combs is “at the center of their actions” today. The US Attorney’s office in the Southern District of New York are also involved in the matter, with a possible criminal case being put together, I hear.
As allegations and suits against him swirled, the famed producer/performer stepped back as chairman of his Revolt Media in November amid his legal troubles.
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Already up against several sexual assault lawsuits (including with a minor) and a multi-million dollar abuse settlement with longtime ex-girlfriend Cassandra Ventura, the one-time hip hop mogul was accused last month of wide spread misconduct by one of the producers of his latest album The Love Album: Off The Grid. In a $30 million federal action, Rodney Jones Jr., AKA Lil Rod claims he was subjected to a possible drugging and rape, ritual humiliation, and being short changed more than $50,000 for his work on the September 15, 2023 released Love record.
Representatives for Combs did not respond to request for comment on today’s raid.
However, one of the lawyers working for Ventura and another Jane Doe accusing Combs did have something to say. “We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law, NYC-based attorney Doug Wigdor said in a statement Monday after the feds had moved in on Combs’ residences. “Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct.”
The Alejandro Mayorkas-run department long has been at the forefront of human-trafficking investigations, but DHS did not release specifics of the raids or why they were carried out. Video aired by local news out Fox11 showed the Los Angeles raid in progress.
Erik Pedersen contributed to this report.