CNN
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Authorities searched Sean “Diddy” Combs’ houses on Monday as a result of he’s a goal of a federal investigation carried out by a Division of Homeland Safety workforce that handles human trafficking crimes, in accordance with a senior federal regulation enforcement official briefed on the investigation.
The probe is being led by the US legal professional for the Southern District of New York and carried out by the Division of Homeland Safety Investigations’ Transnational Organized Crime Division, the official instructed CNN.
The investigation stems from most of the similar sexual assault allegations put forth in a number of civil lawsuits towards Combs, in accordance with a second regulation enforcement supply accustomed to Monday’s searches. Combs has beforehand denied these allegations.
Closely armed groups of HSI brokers searched Combs’ houses in Los Angeles and the Miami space Monday – some using in armored autos, partly as a result of authorities believed Combs employs armed personal safety at every of his residences, the primary supply stated.
Brokers have been licensed to seek for paperwork, telephones, computer systems and different digital gadgets that maintain information or movies, the second regulation enforcement supply stated.
A regulation enforcement supply earlier instructed CNN that Monday’s searches have been associated to an ongoing intercourse trafficking investigation.
HSI in New York stated Monday it “executed regulation enforcement actions as a part of an ongoing investigation” in cooperation with native regulation enforcement and HSI models in Los Angeles and Miami, and would “present additional data because it turns into obtainable.”
Combs’ representatives haven’t responded to CNN’s requests for touch upon the searches.
Combs has been accused of sexual misconduct in 5 separate lawsuits filed in current months – allegations the star has repeatedly denied. It’s unclear which allegations are included within the federal probe.
In November, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a lawsuit towards Combs, her former boyfriend, in federal courtroom in New York’s Southern District. The swimsuit alleged alleged Combs raped her, compelled her to have interaction in intercourse trafficking and subjected her to years of different abuses. The 2 events settled the swimsuit days later.
The choice to settle the swimsuit was “by no means an admission of wrongdoing,” Ben Brafman, an legal professional for Combs, instructed CNN in a press release on the time. “Mr. Combs’ determination to settle the lawsuit doesn’t in any manner undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He’s completely happy they obtained to a mutual settlement and needs Ms. Ventura the most effective.”
Per week later, Joi Dickerson-Neal filed a swimsuit in New York accusing Combs of drugging and sexually assaulting her in 1991. She additionally alleged she was a sufferer of “revenge porn” by the music artist.
In December, an nameless girl known as Jane Doe filed a federal lawsuit accusing Combs of intercourse trafficking and gang rape in 2003, when she was 17.
“I’ve sat silently and watched folks attempt to assassinate my character, destroy my repute and my legacy,” Combs stated in response to the December swimsuit. “Sickening allegations have been made towards me by people in search of a fast payday. Let me be completely clear: I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged.”
Most not too long ago, considered one of Combs’ former workers, producer and videographer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, filed a lawsuit final month accusing Combs of sexual assault and main a “widespread and harmful legal intercourse trafficking group,” amongst different allegations. The swimsuit was filed in federal courtroom in New York’s southern district.
Combs’ legal professional denied the allegations and referred to as Jones’ claims “lies.”
“His reckless name-dropping about occasions which might be pure fiction and easily didn’t occur is nothing greater than a clear try to garner headlines. We’ve overwhelming, indeniable proof that his claims are full lies,” Diddy’s legal professional, Shawn Holley, stated final month.
Armed regulation enforcement officers have been seen round Combs’ residences Monday in Los Angeles’ Holmby Hills neighborhood and Miami Seaside’s unique neighborhood of Star Island, CNN crews reported.
At the least one armored regulation enforcement automobile was seen arriving on the Los Angeles property, and brokers have been processing paperwork on card tables exterior the Miami-area residence. Cellular command publish autos have been seen at each properties.
The exercise on the Star Island property was a search warrant execution, a Homeland Safety Investigations consultant in Miami instructed CNN.
HSI – the Division of Homeland Safety’s lead investigative arm – is answerable for investigating transnational crime and threats, together with human trafficking. It additionally handles circumstances of terrorism, narcotics smuggling and different organized legal exercise.
HSI investigators departed the Star Island residence exterior Miami simply earlier than 11 p.m. Monday, a CNN crew reported.
This can be a creating story and might be up to date.
CNN’s Josh Campbell, Holmes Lybrand, Elizabeth Wagmeister and Carlos Suarez contributed to this report.