LOS ANGELES (AP) – Sean “Diddy” Combs, the music mogul and rapper, is under investigation by federal authorities, according to reports from Rolling Stone and local news station Fox 11. On Monday, federal agents raided Combs’ Los Angeles residence as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York, HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and local law enforcement partners. The raids were also reportedly conducted at Combs’ Miami residence. It remains unclear whether Combs himself was present during the raids.
Combs, who founded Bad Boy Records, is currently facing a number of lawsuits filed over the past few months, accusing him of rape or sexual assault. In February, a music producer who worked on Combs’ most recent record, “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” filed a lawsuit alleging that Combs engaged in serious illegal activities, including sexual assault. Additionally, an anonymous accuser filed a lawsuit in December claiming that Combs and his associates raped her when she was 17 years old. Another woman named Joi Dickerson-Neal filed a lawsuit the previous month, alleging that she was drugged, sexually assaulted, abused, and a victim of revenge porn at the hands of Combs.
Combs has vehemently denied all of these accusations. His lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, expressed support for law enforcement’s actions and stated that he hopes this investigation will hold Combs accountable for his alleged misconduct. Attorney Tyrone Blackburn, who is representing some of Combs’ accusers, said that justice is finally being served with the investigation.
Sexual assault survivors can seek support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline provided by RAINN at 800.656.HOPE or online at online.rainn.org.
The investigation into Combs’ alleged sexual misconduct continues, and further information will be provided as it becomes available.