Federal agents raid homes tied to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in California and Florida

(KTLA) — Two properties associated with rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami were searched Monday by federal Homeland Security Investigations agents and other law enforcement officers.

The searches were connected to a sex trafficking investigation by federal authorities in New York, the Associated Press reported, citing two law enforcement sources. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan declined to comment.

It’s not clear whether Combs was the target of the investigation. Messages to Combs’ lawyers and other representatives seeking comment were not immediately returned.

A police line was set up around the Los Angeles house in the wealthy Holmby Hills neighborhood near Beverly Hills. Helicopter footage from Nexstar’s KTLA captured several agents outside the property. A command post was set up outside the house and agents were still entering and leaving hours after the search began.

Records showed that the Los Angeles home wasn’t owned by Combs but was associated with his production company. A Mercedes-Benz G Class, often referred to as a “G-Wagon,” located on the property was also registered to Bad Boy Productions Inc.

Homeland Security Investigations sent the following statement to KTLA: “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.”

There have been several sexual assault lawsuits filed against Combs in recent months.

In February, a music producer filed a lawsuit alleging Combs coerced him to solicit prostitutes and pressured him to have sex with them. Combs’ attorney Shawn Holley has said of those allegations that “we have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies.”

Combs’ former protege and girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, sued him in November alleging years of sexual abuse, including rape. The lawsuit said he forced her to have sex with male prostitutes while he filmed them. The suit was settled the day after it was filed.

Douglas Wigdor, an attorney for Cassie, provided KTLA a statement regarding Monday’s raids.

“We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law,” Wigdor said in the statement. “Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct.” 

It’s not clear whether the search is related to any of the allegations raised in the lawsuits.

Another of Combs’ accusers was a woman who said the rap producer raped her two decades ago when she was 17.

Combs had said in a December statement, “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.”

Combs is among the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past three decades. Formerly known as Puff Daddy, he built one of hip-hop’s biggest empires, blazing a trail with several entities attached to his famous name. He is the founder of Bad Boy Records and a three-time Grammy winner who has worked with a slew of top-tier artists including Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112.

Combs created the fashion clothing line Sean John, launched the Revolt TV channel with a focus on music, and produced the reality show “Making the Band” for MTV.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.