Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal counsel claims that “military-level force” was used when Homeland Security raided his homes in Miami and Los Angeles on Monday.
“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,” said Combs’ attorney, Aaron Dyer, in a statement shared with Complex. “Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. 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.”
The statement continued, “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. 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.”
Federal agents deployed helicopters and numerous law enforcement personnel to conduct raids on 54-year-old Combs’ residences on March 25. The raids were reportedly part of a sex trafficking investigation, with warrants issued in Manhattan federal court, TMZ reports.
The outlet also reported that Diddy, along with a group of others, was stopped and questioned by federal agents at the customs office of the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport hours after the raids began. He was not arrested at the time of the video.
"Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami and our local law enforcement partners. We will provide further information as it becomes available," said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in a statement shared with Complex.
A wave of sexual assault lawsuits against Diddy began last November when his former girlfriend, Cassie, or Cassandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit against him for rape, sex trafficking, and abuse. The 37-year-old singer settled the suit one day after it was filed for an undisclosed amount.
In February, Diddy was sued by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones for sexual harassment during a number of alleged incidents between September 2022 and November 2023 while working on the former’s The Love Album: Off the Grid.
On Monday, Jones’ lawyer, Tyrone A. Blackburn alleged that the music mogul dispatched "agents to harass [Jones’] 8-year-old daughter, the mother of his child, and ex-spouses."
Diddy was also accused of using unspecified “third parties” to get in touch with Jones.
