Houses owned by hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs have been raided by federal brokers on Monday, with Combs on the heart of intercourse trafficking allegations and sexual assault lawsuits.
Armed brokers from the Division of Homeland Safety performed operations at luxurious properties on each the east and west coasts of america. Video footage confirmed helicopters circling overhead and a big regulation enforcement presence on the bottom.
In a press release, Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) New York confirmed the enforcement actions as a part of an ongoing investigation, with help from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and native regulation enforcement companions.
Media shops in Los Angeles aired aerial footage exhibiting a considerable police presence at an opulent Holmby Hills residence related to Combs, often known as Puff Daddy. Closely armed officers surrounded the intensive web site, detaining people on the scene.
TMZ reported that photographs prompt that Combs' sons, Justin and King Combs, have been amongst these arrested. The outlet additionally obtained footage of a raid on a luxurious waterfront property in Miami linked to Combs.
Whereas official particulars in regards to the raids weren’t instantly accessible, Homeland Safety's involvement in coordinated operations at a number of places signifies critical allegations.
These occasions are unfolding as authorized stress mounts on Combs, who faces a number of lawsuits accusing him of sexual abuse, with allegations spanning many years.
Final yr, Combs was sued by his ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, higher referred to as Cassie, who alleged that he pressured her to carry out intercourse acts with a number of males for years, amounting to intercourse trafficking.
Though that lawsuit was settled, others adopted, together with one in December during which a girl accused Combs of sexual assault and claimed he and others raped her when she was 17 years previous.
Douglas Wigdor, an legal professional representing two of the ladies who accused Combs, expressed help for regulation enforcement efforts to prosecute those that break the regulation.
Combs, 54, is thought for founding the Unhealthy Boy file label in 1993 and shaping hip-hop's business panorama.
Regardless of his public picture as a shrewd businessman, Combs is depicted in courtroom papers as a violent particular person who allegedly exploited his superstar standing to rob and intimidate girls. Combs strongly denies all allegations in opposition to him.
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