NEW YORK — Two properties owned by rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami were raided Monday by federal Homeland Security Investigations agents and other law enforcement agents as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation in New York. was searched, two law enforcement officials told The News. Associated Press.
It is unclear whether Combs is a target of the investigation. The officials were not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
“With assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and local law enforcement partners, we conducted law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation,” Homeland Security Investigations said in a statement.
Combs' attorney and other representatives did not immediately return messages seeking comment.
Multiple sexual assault lawsuits have been filed against Combs in recent months.
In February, a music producer filed a lawsuit alleging that Mr. Combs coerced him into recruiting prostitutes and pressured him to have sex with them. Combs' attorney, Sean Hawley, said of the allegations: “We have overwhelming and incontrovertible evidence that his claims are completely false.”
Combs' former student and girlfriend, R&B singer Kathy, sued Combs in November, accusing him of years of sexual abuse, including rape. According to her complaint, she was filming a male prostitute who forced her to perform sex acts. The lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed.
Another woman who accused Mr. Combs claimed that she was raped by the rap producer 20 years ago when she was 17 years old.
The Associated Press typically does not publish the names of people who allege sexual abuse unless they come forward publicly, as Kathy did.
Combs said in a statement: “I did nothing as egregious as is alleged.”
Combs is one of the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past 30 years. Formerly known as Puff Daddy, he built his one of hip-hop's biggest empires, paving the way with several organizations associated with that famous name. He is the founder of Bad Boy Records, a three-time Grammy Award winner, and has worked with many top artists including The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil' Kim, Faith Evans, 112, and many more. I've been working.
Combs founded the fashion clothing line Sean John, launched the music-focused Revolt TV channel, and produced the MTV reality show Making the Band.