Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ homes have been raided by US law enforcement. This is what we know

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hHomes belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by officials from the United States Department of Homeland Security on Monday, March 25.

The rapper and music mogul, who is credited with helping launch the careers of artists such as Biggie Smalls, Mary J. Blige and Usher, has faced a series of various allegations over the past six months, including sexual assault .

Here you will find everything you need to know:

Why are they raiding the houses?

Combs’ Los Angeles mansion is located in the exclusive Holmby Hills area, near Bel Air and Beverly Hills, while his Miami Beach home is located on exclusive Star Island.

The raids are “in connection with a federal investigation into sex trafficking,” according to Fox 11, who first reported on the raids.

In a statement issued Monday, Homeland Security said: “Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation with the assistance of HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners.

“We will provide more information as it becomes available.”

NBC News cited an anonymous source as saying that three women and one man have been interviewed by federal officials in Manhattan and that three more interviews are scheduled regarding allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault and the solicitation and distribution of narcotics and illegal firearms.

It has not yet been confirmed whether Combs himself is the center of the investigation.

Fox 11 also shared video footage of the raid taken from a helicopter showing several people handcuffed outside the property, including two men.

What are the allegations against Combs?

The rapper and music mogul, 54, has faced a series of sexual assault allegations in recent months.

In February, a music producer accused Combs of sexually assaulting him and forcing him to sleep with sex workers.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York, accuses the music mogul of repeated instances of unsolicited sexual touching and touching. It also said the man had to work in the bathroom while Combs showered and walked around naked.

Another lawsuit, filed in December, alleged that Combs had gang-raped a 17-year-old girl in 2003.

The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, accused Combs of plying her with drugs and alcohol at his New York studio and then raping her along with two associates.

The lawsuit accused Combs of a “sex trafficking scheme,” in which Jane Doe was flown by private plane from her home in Michigan to New York.

Combs has vehemently denied all allegations against him.

Lawsuit with Cassie

In November, he and R&B singer Cassie, whose full name is Cassandra Ventura, settled a lawsuit after she claimed the rapper trafficked, raped and beat her on numerous occasions over 10 years.

Her lawsuit alleged that Combs lured the singer into his “flamboyant, fast-paced, drug-fueled lifestyle” shortly after meeting him, and signed her to his label when she was 19 and he was 37 in 2005.

Cassie said the pattern of abuse began as soon as their relationship began and that while she was trying to end it in 2018, he forced her into his Los Angeles home and raped her.

Her allegations against Combs were brought through the New York Adult Survivors Act (ASA), which expired at midnight on November 23, 2023.

The law gave survivors a one-year window to pursue civil litigation regardless of when the abuse occurred, meaning decades-old incidents finally came to light.

More than 2,500 cases were filed under the ASA before its expiration at midnight on November 23, 2023, court data sent to The Independent showed.

Survivors filed lawsuits against some of the state’s most powerful men, including major entertainment players such as Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, Axl Rose and Combs.

What did Combs say?

The tycoon has flatly denied all accusations against him and has promised to “fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”

In a December statement following Jane Doe’s lawsuit, he called the allegations “disgusting” and said his accusers were “looking for a quick payday.”

“Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the horrible things that are alleged,” he said in a statement. “I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”

Combs’ attorney, Shawn Holley, called the facts described in the lawsuit “pure fiction.”

“We have overwhelming and indisputable evidence that their claims are complete lies,” he said. “We will address these outlandish allegations in court and take all appropriate action against those making them.”

After the agreement with Ventura, Ben Brafman, another attorney for Combs, said The independent: “To be clear, the decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing.

“Sir. Combs’ decision to settle the lawsuit in no way undermines his outright denial of the claims.

“He is happy that they have reached a mutual agreement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.”