LOS ANGELES — Sean “Diddy” Combs is a topic of a federal investigation amid a wave of lawsuits which were filed in opposition to the rap music mogul since November, a supply conversant in the matter instructed NBC Information on Monday.
Three girls and a person have been interviewed by federal officers in Manhattan and three different interviews are scheduled in relation to allegations of intercourse trafficking, sexual assault, and the solicitation and distribution of unlawful narcotics and firearms, the supply conversant in the investigation stated.
4 legislation enforcement sources acquainted instructed NBC Information that federal brokers with Homeland Safety Investigations on Monday executed search warrants on the Los Angeles and Miami properties belonging to Combs. The sources stated the warrant is out of the Southern District of New York.
HSI confirmed in a press release that it “executed legislation enforcement actions” in New York as a part of an ongoing investigation, together with groups in Los Angeles and Miami.
Representatives for Combs, 54, didn’t instantly reply to NBC Information’ request for remark.
Information of a federal investigation comes after public scrutiny of Combs’ conduct after his former romantic companion, Cassie, accused him of bodily and sexually abusing her for years. She made the allegations in a lawsuit filed in New York beneath the New York Grownup Survivors Act, which provided a one-year window for grownup victims of sexual assault to return ahead with civil claims no matter statute of limitations.
Cassie, whose full identify is Casandra Ventura, settled with Combs on Nov. 17, the day after it was filed on phrases that haven’t been disclosed.
Since then, three different girls have come ahead with lawsuits within the Southern District of New York alleging that they have been sexually assaulted by Combs. Two of the ladies alleged they have been youngsters on the time of the assaults.
Douglas Wigdor, who represents Ventura and a Jane Doe who filed go well with, stated in a press release that this was hopefully the start of a course of that “will maintain Mr. Combs chargeable for his wicked conduct.”
“We’ll all the time help legislation enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those who have violated the legislation,” Wigdor stated.
Combs has denied every of the sexual assault allegations, calling them “sickening.”
A producer who labored for Combs between September 2022 and November 2023 additionally filed a lawsuit in February, alleging that Combs sexually harassed, drugged and threatened him greater than a 12 months. The previous worker, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, additionally alleged that he had video and audio proof of Combs, his workers and others “participating in severe criminal activity.”
Shawn Holley, an legal professional for Combs, denied Jones’ allegations and stated that Combs’ crew has “overwhelming, indeniable proof that his claims are full lies.”
Combs had a variety of authorized points going again earlier than the latest lawsuits however has not often confronted felony costs.
In 1999, Combs pleaded responsible to assaulting a report government and was ordered to someday of anger administration. That very same 12 months, Combs was accused of felony possession of a weapon after a capturing at a New York nightclub.
Witnesses instructed legislation enforcement they noticed Combs with a firearm on the membership, but it surely was rapper Shyne, actual identify Moses Barrow, who witnesses stated fired into the gang. Combs was pulled over by police in a automobile with then-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, with a gun within the automobile. Combs was acquitted of weapons and bribery costs whereas Shyne was discovered responsible of the membership capturing at trial.
Since Cassie’s go well with was filed and others have come ahead accusing Combs of assault, Combs has been the middle of scrutiny. He stepped down from his place as chairman of media community Revolt and Hulu pulled again from a deliberate actuality sequence centered on his household.
Diana Dasrath and Andrew Blankstein reported from Los Angeles, Doha Madani and Jonathan Dienst reported from New York.
This text was initially revealed on TODAY.com