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CNN
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Authorities searched Sean “Diddy” Combs’ homes on Monday as a result of he’s a goal of a federal investigation carried out by a Division of Homeland Safety workforce that handles human trafficking crimes, in response to a senior federal regulation enforcement official briefed on the investigation.
The probe is being led by the US legal professional for the Southern District of New York and carried out by the Division of Homeland Safety Investigations’ Transnational Organized Crime Division, the official instructed CNN.
The investigation stems from lots of the similar sexual assault allegations put forth in several civil lawsuits in opposition to Combs, in response to a second regulation enforcement supply acquainted with Monday’s searches. Combs has beforehand denied these allegations.
Closely armed groups of HSI brokers searched Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and the Miami space Monday – some using in armored autos, partly as a result of authorities believed Combs employs armed non-public safety at every of his residences, the primary supply stated.
Brokers had been approved to seek for paperwork, telephones, computer systems and different digital units that maintain knowledge or movies, the second regulation enforcement supply stated.
A regulation enforcement supply earlier instructed CNN that Monday’s searches were related to an ongoing sex trafficking investigation.
HSI in New York stated Monday it “executed regulation enforcement actions as a part of an ongoing investigation” in cooperation with native regulation enforcement and HSI items in Los Angeles and Miami, and would “present additional info because it turns into obtainable.”
Combs’ representatives haven’t responded to CNN’s requests for touch upon the searches.

Combs has been accused of sexual misconduct in 5 separate lawsuits filed in current months – allegations the star has repeatedly denied. It’s unclear which allegations are included within the federal probe.
In November, singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a lawsuit against Combs, her former boyfriend, in federal courtroom in New York’s Southern District. The swimsuit alleged alleged Combs raped her, pressured her to interact in intercourse trafficking and subjected her to years of different abuses. The 2 events settled the suit days later.
The choice to settle the swimsuit was “under no circumstances an admission of wrongdoing,” Ben Brafman, an legal professional for Combs, instructed CNN in an announcement on the time. “Mr. Combs’ choice to settle the lawsuit doesn’t in any means undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He’s comfortable they received to a mutual settlement and desires Ms. Ventura one of the best.”
Per week later, Joi Dickerson-Neal filed a suit in New York accusing Combs of drugging and sexually assaulting her in 1991. She additionally alleged she was a sufferer of “revenge porn” by the music artist.
In December, an nameless girl known as Jane Doe filed a federal lawsuit accusing Combs of intercourse trafficking and gang rape in 2003, when she was 17.
“I’ve sat silently and watched folks attempt to assassinate my character, destroy my popularity and my legacy,” Combs said in response to the December swimsuit. “Sickening allegations have been made in opposition to me by people searching for a fast payday. Let me be completely clear: I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged.”
Most lately, certainly one of Combs’ former staff, producer and videographer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, filed a lawsuit final month accusing Combs of sexual assault and main a “widespread and harmful prison intercourse trafficking group,” amongst different allegations. The swimsuit was filed in federal courtroom in New York’s southern district.
Combs’ legal professional denied the allegations and known as Jones’ claims “lies.”
“His reckless name-dropping about occasions which can be pure fiction and easily didn’t occur is nothing greater than a clear try to garner headlines. Now we have overwhelming, indeniable proof that his claims are full lies,” Diddy’s legal professional, Shawn Holley, stated final month.
Armed regulation enforcement officers had been seen round Combs’ residences Monday in Los Angeles’ Holmby Hills neighborhood and Miami Seashore’s unique group of Star Island, CNN crews reported.
A minimum of one armored regulation enforcement automobile was seen arriving on the Los Angeles property, and brokers had been processing paperwork on card tables exterior the Miami-area dwelling. Cell command publish autos had been seen at each properties.
The exercise on the Star Island property was a search warrant execution, a Homeland Safety Investigations consultant in Miami instructed CNN.
HSI – the Division of Homeland Safety’s lead investigative arm – is accountable for investigating transnational crime and threats, together with human trafficking. It additionally handles instances of terrorism, narcotics smuggling and different organized prison exercise.
HSI investigators departed the Star Island dwelling exterior Miami simply earlier than 11 p.m. Monday, a CNN crew reported.
It is a growing story and shall be up to date.
CNN’s Josh Campbell, Holmes Lybrand, Elizabeth Wagmeister and Carlos Suarez contributed to this report.