Diddy Spoke to and Cooperated with Authorities - Lawyer
Combs was not detained during the search but his whereabouts remain unknown
Diddy Spoke to and Cooperated with Authorities – Lawyer
Two properties belonging to music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami were searched Monday by federal Homeland Security Investigations agents and other law enforcement as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation by federal authorities in New York, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press.
Aaron Dyer, Diddy’s attorney, said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday:
Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences.
There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated.
It’s not clear whether Combs was the target of the investigation. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
Dyer said Combs was “never detained” during the searches “but spoke to and cooperated with authorities.” He added:
Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way.
This unprecedented ambush – paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence – leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.
The statement added:
There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations.
Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.
In a statement, Homeland Security Investigations said it “executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.”
Diddy Spoke to and Cooperated with Authorities – Lawyer
A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan declined to comment.
A police line was set up around the Los Angeles house in the wealthy Holmby Hills neighborhood near Beverly Hills.
Helicopter video from KABC-TV showed a group of agents with vests that indicated they were from Homeland Security Investigations gathered in the home’s backyard near the pool.
A command post was set up outside the house and agents were still entering and leaving hours after the search began.
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.”
It is not clear whether the search is related to any of the allegations raised in earlier lawsuits.
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.
