Scandal isn’t anything new in the world of entertainment.
But this was beyond what anyone could have ever imagined.
And a superstar rapper and producer’s home was raided by federal agents for this sickening reason.
Homeland Security agents launched surprise raids on the Los Angeles and Miami, Florida mansions of rapper and actor Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Multiple armored vehicles and heavily armed agents were seen searching through his properties.
The raids were connected with a federal sex trafficking case according to law enforcement sources.
Disturbing allegations against Diddy
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York is leading the investigation and who conducted the raids on Diddy’s mansions raised eyebrows: the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Transnational Organized Crime Division.
HSI investigates human smuggling, terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and other serious crimes.
Homeland Security expert Hal Kempfer told FOX 11 Los Angeles that Combs has faced allegations that he drugged young women.
The 54-year-old Combs – who previously went by stage names Puff Daddy and P Diddy – had a successful career as a rapper before branching out into acting, producing, and business.
But he settled a disturbing lawsuit brought by his former girlfriend singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura last November.
She accused him of physically and sexually assaulting her for years including when she was 17.
“We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law,” said Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Cassie Ventura, in a released statement. “Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct.”
Last month, he was hit with a civil lawsuit by a former male employee who accused him of harassment and sexual assault.
He’s denied both allegations.
Now he finds himself in the middle of his biggest scandal yet.
Diddy denies any wrongdoing
Diddy’s attorney, Aaron Dyer, released a statement accusing Homeland Security of an excessive use of force in the raids.
“Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences,” Dyer said. “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.”
Sean “P Diddy” Combs is now facing an investigation that could result in him going down for good.