Authorities searched Diddy’s properties as a part of a intercourse trafficking probe. This is what to know

LOS ANGELES — Within the first 9 months of 2023, Sean “Diddy” Combs triumphantly carried out on the MTV VMAs, launched an R&B album that garnered a Grammy nomination and was a suitor to purchase the BET community.

However a number of lawsuits filed late final 12 months raised allegations of sexual assault and rape in opposition to Combs — one among hip-hop’s most recognizable names as a performer and producer.

The music mogul’s properties in Los Angeles and Miami have been searched Monday by federal brokers with Homeland Safety Investigators and different regulation enforcement. Officers mentioned the searches have been linked to an investigation by federal authorities in New York.

The officers spoke to The Related Press on situations of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to publicly focus on particulars of the investigation. Combs’ legal professional and different representatives didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark, and his whereabouts are unknown.

Though Diddy was embroiled in a single high-profile enterprise dispute for a part of 2023, it was a case filed by his former girlfriend and R&B singer Cassie that opened the door to different claims of sexual violence. Combs has vehemently denied the allegations.

It’s not clear whether or not the search is expounded to any of the allegations raised within the lawsuits, which embrace one from a girl who claims Combs raped her when she was 17.

Listed here are some issues to find out about Combs and the investigation.

Combs is among the many most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the previous three many years. He constructed one among music’s greatest empires, blazing a path with a number of entities connected to his well-known title. He’s the founding father of Dangerous Boy Information and a three-time Grammy winner who has labored with a slew of top-tier artists together with Infamous B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Religion Evans and 112.

The music mogul created the style clothes line referred to as Sean John, was related to a well known vodka model and launched Revolt TV community, which focuses on music and social justice points focusing on African Individuals. He additionally produced the fact present “Making the Band” for MTV.

In 2022, BET honored Combs with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his capacity to form tradition by means of his profession.

Combs gained Grammys for his platinum-selling 1997 album “No Method Out” and the only “I’ll Be Lacking You,” a track devoted to the late Infamous B.I.G. who was killed earlier that 12 months. He gained one other Grammy for “Shake Ya Tailfeather” with Nelly and Murphy Lee.

Final 12 months, Combs launched his fifth studio album “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” which was nominated for finest progressive R&B album at February’s Grammy Awards, which he didn’t attend. The album was his first solo venture since his 2006 chart-topping “Press Play,” which had two prime 10 hit singles: “Final Night time” with Keyshia Cole and “Come to Me” that includes Nicole Scherzinger.

In 2004, Combs performed Walter Lee Youthful within the Broadway revival of “A Raisin within the Solar,” which aired as a tv adaption 4 years later. He’s additionally appeared in movies together with “Get Him to the Greek” and “Monster’s Ball.”

In November, Combs’ protege and singer Cassie sued him for alleging years of sexual abuse together with rape. The lawsuit alleged he compelled her to have intercourse with male prostitutes whereas he filmed them.

Combs and Ventura started courting in 2007 and had an on-and-off relationship for greater than a decade.

The swimsuit was settled the day after it was filed, however the lawsuits in opposition to Combs stored coming in opposition to.

Combs had mentioned in a December assertion, “I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged.”

In February, a music producer filed a lawsuit alleging Combs coerced him to solicit prostitutes and pressured him to have intercourse with them. Combs’ legal professional Shawn Holley has mentioned of these allegations that “we’ve got overwhelming, indeniable proof that his claims are full lies.”

One other of Combs’ accusers was a girl who mentioned the rap producer raped her twenty years in the past when she was 17.

The filings element acts of sexual assault, beatings and compelled drugging allegedly dedicated within the early Nineties by Combs, then a expertise director, social gathering promoter and rising determine in New York Metropolis’s hip-hop neighborhood.

Final 12 months, Combs stepped down as chairman of his cable tv community Revolt amid the sexual abuse allegations in opposition to him.

Revolt introduced Combs’ resolution by way of social media. It isn’t clear if he’ll ever return to the media firm — which mentioned Combs beforehand had “no operational or day-to-day function” on the community.

“This resolution helps to make sure that Revolt stays steadfastly centered on our mission to create significant content material for the tradition and amplify the voices of all Black folks all through this nation and African diaspora,” the community mentioned.

The community had been making ready to rejoice its tenth anniversary.

Combs additionally created a web based market referred to as Empower International that featured Black-owned manufacturers. The web site for the curated market remains to be lively, however reveals no merchandise being bought.

Earlier this 12 months, Combs withdrew the lawsuit filed final 12 months in opposition to Diageo as a part of a settlement with the London-based spirits large.

Combs mentioned the corporate didn’t make promised investments in Ciroc vodka and DeLeon tequila — two manufacturers Combs promoted prior to now — and handled them as inferior “city” merchandise. He additionally accused Diageo of racism.

In courtroom filings, Combs mentioned Diageo management informed him race was one of many causes it restricted distribution to “city” neighborhoods. Combs mentioned he was additionally informed some Diageo leaders resented him for making an excessive amount of cash.

In authorized filings, Diageo accused Combs of resorting to “false and reckless” allegations “in an effort to extract further billions” from the corporate.

Combs’ repute took a severe hit after the lawsuit was filed. Diageo grew to become the only real proprietor of Ciroc and DeLeon after the lawsuit was withdrawn.