Federal agents conducted raids on homes in Los Angeles and the Miami area on Monday that are linked to the hip-hop mogul Sean Combs, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Homeland Security Investigations carried out the raids but did not disclose details about the case, including whether Mr. Combs was a target or the specific criminal charges being investigated. Mr. Combs, also known as Puff Daddy or Diddy, has faced allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking in multiple civil lawsuits over recent months.
A representative for Mr. Combs did not provide a response to a request for comment.
The investigation is being led by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York and Homeland Security agents, as per a law enforcement official. Nicholas Biase, a spokesperson for the Southern District, declined to comment.
In a statement, Homeland Security mentioned that agents from New York had carried out law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with support from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and local law enforcement partners.
Video footage from Fox 11 (KTTV), a local TV station in Los Angeles, showed armed officers entering a residence in the Holmby Hills area of the city, reportedly connected to Mr. Combs. Public records in California also indicate that the property is owned by a company led by Mr. Combs.
The raids mark a significant turn in the career of Mr. Combs, a prominent figure in the music industry for the past three decades as a producer, label executive, and occasional rapper.
He played a key role in the evolution of hip-hop into a global commercial powerhouse, creating hits for artists like the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige. Mr. Combs also achieved success with his own music, such as the song “I’ll Be Missing You” (1997).
However, Mr. Combs has faced longstanding accusations of violence and was recently sued for sexual assault by Casandra Ventura, his former girlfriend and artist under his label, Bad Boy.
Ms. Ventura accused Mr. Combs of forcing her into sexual activities with male prostitutes over several years, leading to allegations of sex trafficking. The civil suit was settled in a day, with both parties stating an amicable resolution.
Despite the settlement, additional cases of sexual assault have been filed against Mr. Combs. Federal investigators in New York have been actively looking into these allegations for months.
Mr. Combs has denied all accusations against him. Following recent suits, his legal team has dismissed the claims as false and motivated by financial gain.
In a statement, a lawyer representing the accusers expressed support for law enforcement’s efforts to hold Mr. Combs accountable for his alleged actions.
The searches conducted in Miami Beach and Los Angeles have attracted attention, with law enforcement presence and media coverage disrupting the normally quiet neighborhoods.
The exclusive neighborhood where the searches took place is known for its celebrity residents and privacy. The raids have brought a wave of scrutiny to Mr. Combs, impacting his longstanding reputation in the music industry.
Contributors: Hamed Aleaziz (Washington, D.C.), Chelsia Rose Marcius (New York), Corina Knoll (Los Angeles), Verónica Zaragovia (Miami)
