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By Maura Zurick
Weekend Night Editor
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Federal authorities on Monday raided homes reportedly owned by megastar rapper and record producer Sean "Diddy" Combs in Los Angeles, California, and Miami, Florida, according to local media outlets.
The Context
Combs, formerly known as Puff Daddy, is the founder of Bad Boy Records and a three-time Grammy winner. In recent months, he has faced several legal battles, with lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and trafficking.
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Last month, a music producer filed a lawsuit accusing Combs of coercing him to solicit prostitutes and then pressure him to have sex with them. The producer, Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones, alleges in the lawsuit that he was sexually harassed, drugged and threatened by Combs for more than a year. Jones produced several tracks on Combs' The Love Album: Off the Grid and seeks $30 million in damages.
Combs' attorney Shawn Holley has disputed the allegations, previously telling Newsweek that "we have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies."
In a separate case, Combs' ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, sued him in November, alleging years of sexual abuse. The lawsuit, which accuses Combs of forcing her to have sex with male prostitutes while he filmed, was settled the day after it was filed.
In December, the 54-year-old music mogul was hit with another lawsuit over allegations that he trafficked and sexually abused a woman identified as Jane Doe. The suit accuses Combs of "gang rape" and sex trafficking.
Newsweek reached out via email on Monday to Combs' representatives for comment.
What We Know
Investigators with the Department of Homeland Security executed search warrants at properties belonging to Combs in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of West Los Angeles, and in Miami on Monday afternoon.
The raids are reportedly tied to sex-trafficking allegations leveled by different plaintiffs in recent months, the Associated Press reported, citing law enforcement sources.
In response to Newsweek's request for comment, Homeland Security Investigations on Monday said in a statement: "Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) 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."
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While Combs has not released a statement as of Monday evening, the rapper has a pinned post on X, formerly Twitter, in response to the accusations that he raped and trafficked several women.
"Enough is Enough," Combs wrote in a statement posted to X in December. "For the last couple weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth."
News of the raid created buzz on X, where the term "The Diddler" quickly became a trending topic.
Rapper 50 Cent was among the social media users to weigh in, posting on X: "Now it's not Diddy do it, it's Diddy done. They don't come like that unless they got a case."
What's Next?
Homeland Security Investigations said it will release more information as it becomes available.
Update 03/25/24, 7:40 p.m. ET: This article was updated to include additional information.
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