A Homeland Security Investigations spokesperson said in a
statement that the raid was executed as part of an "ongoing
investigation."
Law enforcement sources said that while the search warrant
was being executed in Los Angeles, Combs' sons were detained outside the home,
as is customary in such circumstances, and released without charges.
"Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
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," the spokesperson said. "We will provide further
information as it becomes available."
Law enforcement sources familiar with the matter said that
the searches are being carried out at the hip-hop producer's properties as part
of a federal investigation led by the Southern District of New York into
alleged human trafficking. No criminal charges have been filed in the
investigation.
"GMA" has reached out to Combs' lawyer for
comment.
In December, a complaint was filed against Combs by a
Canadian woman identified only as Jane Doe, who says she was sex-trafficked and
gang raped in 2003 when she was 17 and in the 11th grade.
The lawsuit names Combs, former Bad Boy Entertainment
president Harve Pierre and an unnamed third defendant, and claims Pierre and
the third unnamed defendant approached the teen at a lounge in Detroit,
Michigan, where Pierre allegedly told her he was "best friends" with
Combs and proceeded to call him.
The suit, which contains photos, claims Pierre and the
unnamed defendant convinced the teen to take a private jet to Combs' studio in
New York City, where she alleges she was plied with drugs and alcohol, and gang
raped by the three defendants.
Combs took to social media on Dec. 6, 2023, to denounce the
allegations against him, writing in a post, "Enough is enough."
"Sickening allegations have been made against me by
individuals looking for a quick payday," he said. "Let me be
absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will
fight for my name, my family and for the truth."
Pierre’s attorneys also responded to the suit in a case
filing and denied the allegations, specifically denying that he used his
position of power to groom the plaintiff and denying that he witnessed or
participated in a sexual assault of the plaintiff.
An earlier complaint against Combs was made on Nov. 16,
2023, when Combs' former girlfriend, Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura,
filed a lawsuit against Combs, accusing him of sex trafficking and sexual
assault.
According to court documents, Ventura alleged that she was
trafficked, raped and beaten by Combs during the course of their relationship,
which began when she was 19 and he was 37.
After signing her to his label, Bad Boy Records, Ventura
alleged in the lawsuit that Combs "lured [her] into an ostentatious,
fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle, and into a romantic relationship with
him -- her boss, one of the most powerful men in the entertainment industry,
and a vicious, cruel, and controlling man nearly two decades her senior."
Combs' attorney, Ben Brafman, issued a statement on his
behalf at the time and said that Combs "vehemently denies these offensive
and outrageous allegations."
Ventura's lawsuit was settled a day later. In a statement,
she said, "I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I
have some level of control."
Brafman also told CNN in a statement at the time, "Mr.
Combs' decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his
flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and
wishes Ms. Ventura the best."
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