Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ properties have been raided by US legislation enforcement. Here’s what we all know | EUROtoday

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Homes belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami had been raided by officers from US Homeland Security on Monday, 25 March.

The rapper and music mogul – who’s credited with serving to launch the careers of artists together with Biggie Smalls, Mary J Blige and Usher – has confronted a string of various accusations prior to now six months, together with sexual assault.

Here’s every thing you might want to know:

Why are the properties being raided?

Combs’ Los Angeles mansion is within the upmarket Holmby Hills space, close to Bel Air and Beverly Hills, whereas his Miami Beach house is positioned on the unique Star Island.

The raids are “in connection with a federal sex trafficking investigation” in keeping with Fox 11, who had been first to report on the raids.

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

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

NBC News cited an unnamed supply as saying that three ladies and a person have been interviewed by federal officers in Manhattan and three different interviews are scheduled regarding allegations of intercourse trafficking, sexual assault, and the solicitation and distribution of unlawful narcotics and firearms.

It stays unconfirmed whether or not Combs himself is the main target of the investigation,

Fox 11 has additionally shared video footage of the raid taken from an overhead helicopter that reveals a number of people in handcuffs exterior the property, together with two males.

What are the accusations towards Combs?

The rapper and music mogul, 54, has confronted a string of sexual assault allegations in current months.

In February, a male music producer accused Combs of sexually assaulting him and forcing him to sleep with intercourse staff.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court docket in New York, accused the music mogul of repeated situations of unsolicited groping and sexual touching. It additionally mentioned that the person needed to work in a toilet whereas Combs showered and walked round bare.

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

The plaintiff, recognized as Jane Doe, accused Combs of plying her with medicine and alcohol at his New York studio after which raping her together with two associates.

The go well with accused Combs of a “sex trafficking scheme,” through which Jane Doe was flown by personal jet from her residence in Michigan to New York.

Combs has vehemently denied all accusations towards him.

Lawsuit with Cassie

In November, he and R&B singer Cassie, whose full identify is Cassandra Ventura, settled a lawsuit after she claimed that she was trafficked, raped and overwhelmed by the rapper on many events over 10 years.

Her lawsuit alleged that Combs introduced the singer into his “ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle” not lengthy after she met him, and signed her to his label when she was 19 and he was 37 in 2005.

Cassie mentioned that the sample of abuse started as quickly as their relationship began and that, as she was making an attempt to finish it in 2018, he pressured her into her Los Angeles residence and raped her.

Her accusations towards Combs had been introduced by way of the New York Adult Survivors Act (ASA), which expired at midnight on 23 November 2023

The act offered survivors a one-year window to pursue civil litigation no matter when the abuse occurred, which means incidents from a long time had been lastly delivered to mild.

Over 2,500 instances had been filed below the ASA earlier than its expiry at midnight on 23 November 2023, court docket information despatched to The Independent confirmed.

Survivors introduced lawsuits towards among the state’s strongest males, together with main gamers in leisure, comparable to Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, Axl Rose, and Combs.

What has Combs mentioned?

The mogul has strongly denied all of the accusations towards him and vowed to “fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”

In a press release in December, following the lawsuit introduced by Jane Doe, he referred to as the claims “sickening” and mentioned his accusers had been “looking for a quick payday”.

“Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged,” he mentioned in a press release. “I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”

Combs’s lawyer, Shawn Holley, branded the occasions described within the lawsuit as “pure fiction”.

“We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies,” he mentioned. “We will address these outlandish allegations in court and take all appropriate action against those who make them.”

Following the settlement with Ventura, Ben Brafman, one other legal professional for Combs, instructed The Independent: “Just so we’re clear, a decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing.

“Mr. Combs’s decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims.

“He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms Ventura the best.”