Los Angeles — Sean “Diddy” Combs' lawyer said Tuesday that federal officials' searches of his Los Angeles and Miami houses in a sex trafficking probe were “a gross use of military-level force” and that he is “innocent and will continue to fight” to clear his name. This is the music mogul's team's first public comment since Homeland Security Investigations raided his houses on Monday.
“Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences,” stated attorney Aaron Dyer. “There is no excuse for authorities' excessive force and hostility or how his children and employees were treated.”
The searches were part of a federal sex trafficking investigation in New York, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press. The officials spoke to the AP anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the probe.
Dyer stated that Combs was not held and spoke to authorities, and neither he nor his family members were arrested or banned from traveling. Dyer said the “unprecedented ambush” has caused a “premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.”
No finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations,” Dyer added. “Mr. Combs is innocent and will fight daily to clear his name.” Justin and Christian “King” Combs were handcuffed during the raid at their father's Los Angeles home. King, 25, has topped Billboard's Mainstream R&B Hip-Hop charts with “Can't Stop Won't Stop” with Kodak Black in 2022.
Combs' multimillion-dollar Los Angeles mansion and Miami waterfront home were raided Monday by law police. Command trucks and many officers were outside both properties. Combs, who has been sued for sexual assault multiple times in recent months, is under further scrutiny with the criminal inquiry.
Cassie, his former girlfriend and mentee, sued Combs for years of sexual abuse, including rape, which he settled the day after it was filed in November. He was sued for forcing her to have sex with male prostitutes while filming. In February, a music producer sued Combs for forcing him to solicit prostitutes and have sex with them.
A woman accused Combs of raping her at 17 two decades ago. All lawsuit claims have been disputed by Combs and his counsel. The rarely names sexual abuse victims unless they come forward like Cassie.
Combs is one of the most prominent hip-hop producers and executives of the last 30 years. He developed one of hip-hop's biggest empires as Puff Daddy, running multiple organizations under his name. Bad Boy Records founder and three-time Grammy winner has worked with Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans, and 112.
Since the abuse lawsuits, Combs' profitable private-label spirits, athletic fashion, and TV network have crumbled. After settling mutual litigation in January, his vodka and tequila partnership with Diageo, a major distiller, ended. His fashion label, Sean John, has disappeared from Macy's, one of its main partners. Many Sean John goods are severely discounted or only available in off-sizes at Walmart's online store. Last November, Combs quit as chairman of Revolt TV, which covers African American music and social justice.
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