Sean “Diddy” Combs, the prominent rap music mogul, finds himself under the scrutiny of federal authorities as a wave of lawsuits alleging various crimes has surged against him since November. A source familiar with the matter revealed to NBC News on Monday that Combs is now a subject of a federal investigation.
According to the source, federal officials in Manhattan have interviewed three women and a man regarding allegations ranging from sex trafficking to sexual assault, as well as the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms. Additionally, interviews with three other individuals are reportedly scheduled.
In a significant development, federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed search warrants on Monday at properties owned by Combs in Los Angeles and Miami. The warrants, issued out of the Southern District of New York, mark a pivotal turn in the investigation. HSI confirmed its involvement in a statement, indicating coordinated law enforcement actions in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami as part of an ongoing inquiry.
Reports suggest that during the searches, authorities seized phones from Combs in Miami, where he was present at the time. Sources familiar with the warrant disclosed that the seizure occurred just before Combs was scheduled to depart for a trip to the Bahamas. However, it remains unclear whether the trip proceeded as planned.
As news of the federal investigation unfolds, Combs, aged 54, has yet to respond to NBC News’ request for comment. This development comes amid a series of lawsuits and public scrutiny regarding Combs’ conduct, particularly following accusations made by his former romantic partner, Cassie.
Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura, lodged allegations of physical and sexual abuse against Combs in a lawsuit filed late last year in New York under the New York Adult Survivors Act. The suit, filed on November 16, was settled the next day under undisclosed terms. Since then, three other women have stepped forward with lawsuits in the Southern District of New York, alleging sexual assault by Combs, with two claiming they were teenagers at the time.
Douglas Wigdor, representing Ventura and one of the Jane Does in the lawsuit, expressed hope that the investigations would hold Combs accountable for his alleged misconduct, emphasizing support for law enforcement efforts.
Amid these legal battles, Combs has vehemently denied all sexual assault allegations, branding them as “sickening.” However, the accusations continue to mount, with a recent lawsuit filed in February by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, a former producer for Combs, alleging sexual harassment, drugging, and threats. Jones claimed to possess video and audio evidence implicating Combs and his associates in illegal activities.
Tyrone Blackburn, attorney for both Jones and another accuser, Liza Gardner, affirmed their commitment to pursuing justice despite the federal investigation. Meanwhile, Shawn Holley, Combs’ attorney, rebuffed Jones’ allegations, citing compelling evidence disproving his claims.
Combs, a figure with a history of legal entanglements, has previously faced charges related to assault and weapons possession. Notably, in 1999, he pleaded guilty to assaulting a record executive and was ordered to undergo anger management. The same year, he was embroiled in a criminal possession of a weapon case stemming from a nightclub shooting in New York, where his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez was present. Though acquitted of charges, Combs’ legal battles have persisted.
The mounting legal challenges have reverberated across Combs’ professional endeavors, prompting his resignation as chairman of media network Revolt and the retraction of a planned reality series by Hulu centered on his family.
As federal investigators delve deeper into the allegations against Combs, the unfolding saga underscores the complexities surrounding the intersection of fame, power, and accountability in the music industry.
