The attorney for rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs stated on Tuesday that Combs is “innocent and will continue to fight” to clear his name and that the searches of the rapper’s properties in Miami and Los Angeles by federal authorities as part of a sex trafficking investigation were “a gross use of military-level force.”
This is the music mogul’s team’s first official comment since Homeland Security Investigations investigators raided his house on Monday.
Attorney Aaron Dyer stated in a statement that “search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ houses yesterday, and there was a blatant abuse of military-level force.” “The disproportionate use of force and animosity displayed by the authorities, as well as the treatment of his children and staff, are unacceptable.”
The Associated Press was informed by two law enforcement officials that the searches were a component of a federal investigation into sex trafficking that is now underway in New York. The officials talked to the AP under condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to publicly disclose the specifics of the probe.
According to Dyer’s statement, Combs was not detained; he spoke with the authorities, and neither he nor any family members were arrested or had any travel restrictions imposed.
A “premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless charges made in civil cases,” according to Dyer, has resulted from the “unprecedented ambush.”
“With regard to any of these accusations, no determination of criminal or civil responsibility has been made,” Dyer stated. “Mr. Combs is not guilty and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.”
Justin and Christian “King” Combs, the sons of Combs, were handcuffed during the raid at their father’s Los Angeles home. The 25-year-old King and Kodak Black song “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” peaked at the top of Billboard’s Mainstream R&B Hip-Hop charts in 2022.
The raid was carried out on Monday by law enforcement at Combs’ Miami beachfront residence and his multimillion-dollar estate in the upscale Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles. Command trucks were parked outside both residences, along with a large number of law enforcement officers.
Given that Combs has been named as a defendant in multiple sexual assault lawsuits in recent months, the criminal probe represents a significant increase in the level of attention surrounding Combs.
In a lawsuit that Combs resolved the same day it was filed in November, the R&B singer and former protégé Cassie sued him, alleging years of sexual abuse, including rape. The lawsuit said he forced her to have sex with male prostitutes while he filmed them.
Rap producer Cassie Combs has filed a lawsuit alleging coercion and sexual abuse from him and a woman who claimed he raped her two decades ago.
Combs and his attorneys deny the allegations. Combs, a three-time Grammy winner and founder of Bad Boy Records, has worked with top artists like Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans, and 112. His non-music business ventures, including private-label spirits, sportswear fashion, and a TV network, have been falling apart since the abuse lawsuits began. His vodka and tequila deal with Diageo disintegrated in January, leaving the brands in Diageo’s hands. His fashion line, Sean John, has disappeared from Macy’s, and Combs resigned as chairman of Revolt TV in November.
(AP)
