Lawyers representing Sean “Diddy” Combs asserted on Tuesday that the raids conducted by federal agents at the rap mogul’s residences in the US constituted an “unprecedented ambush” and were part of “a witch hunt based on meritless accusations.”
Armed agents from Homeland Security Investigations carried out raids on two luxury properties owned by Combs on Monday. These actions occurred amidst allegations of sex trafficking involving Combs and lawsuits alleging sexual assault.
In a statement provided to US media, lawyer Aaron Dyer expressed concern over what he deemed as an excessive use of military-level force during the execution of search warrants at Mr. Combs’ residences the day before.
Dyer remarked, “This unprecedented ambush — coupled 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.”
Authorities have not disclosed the reasons behind the raids. However, Combs is the subject of numerous civil lawsuits that portray him as a violent sexual predator who utilized alcohol and drugs to subdue his victims. Over the years, he has been confronted with at least four lawsuits from individuals alleging sexual abuse, with accusations spanning decades.
In the previous year, Combs faced a lawsuit from his former girlfriend Casandra Ventura, known professionally as Cassie, who was signed to his Bad Boy label. The lawsuit claimed that he coerced her into performing sexual acts with multiple men across various cities in the United States over several years.
While that lawsuit was settled, it was succeeded by others, including one filed in December by a woman accusing Combs of sexual assault. She alleged that he and others gang-raped her when she was 17 years old.
Despite these allegations, Combs, who has not been criminally convicted, refutes all claims made against him.
“On Tuesday, Dyer reiterated that there has been no finding of criminal or civil liability associated with any of these allegations. He emphasized that Mr. Combs maintains his innocence and will persistently fight to clear his name,” said the attorney. Dyer further criticized the excessive show of force and hostility displayed by authorities during the raids, noting that neither Combs nor any of his family members were arrested in connection with the investigation.
According to a law enforcement source, Combs, also known as Diddy or Puff Daddy, was in Miami on Monday and had been contacted by agents, but he was not taken into custody.
Aerial images captured on Monday seemed to depict the rapper’s sons Justin and King Combs in handcuffs at his Los Angeles property. However, new images released by celebrity website TMZ on Tuesday indicated that computers and other electronic equipment had been forcibly removed from Combs’ Los Angeles home.
Meanwhile, reports surfaced on Tuesday revealing that a luxury private jet owned by Combs had landed in the Caribbean island of Antigua shortly after his US residences were raided. Combs himself was not aboard the Gulfstream V, according to US media reports, which also included photos of the aircraft in the tropical destination. Flight tracking data showed that the plane, named LoveAir, had departed from a southern California airport on Monday.
