By Gareth Vipers
Lawyers for Sean 'Diddy' Combs criticized law enforcement for "a gross overuse of military-level force" when they raided two of his properties in connection with an investigation related to possible human trafficking.
"There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated," Aaron Dyer, an attorney for the hip hop mogul, said in a statement Tuesday.
Agents with the Department of Homeland Security entered a house in Los Angeles connected to Combs on Monday. A Miami home belonging to him was also raided.
Dyer described the raids as part of "a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits."
Combs has faced a series of civil suits in recent months.
The rapper and entrepreneur was sued by former girlfriend Casandra "Cassie" Ventura in November. Ventura accused him of physical and mental abuse spanning roughly a decade. The two settled the following day.
A week later, Joi Dickerson-Neal alleged Combs drugged, sexually assaulted and abused her after a date in New York City in January 1991. She also claims Combs drugged her before videotaping himself sexually assaulting her.
A second suit brought by an unnamed claimant alleged Combs and a friend forced her into having sex after a party. It also claims Combs later visited the claimant's home and physically assaulted her, choking her until she passed out.
Last month, producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones Jr. filed a suit accusing Combs of sexual harassment, among other things.
Combs has denied all the allegations made against him.
"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, " a Homeland Security spokesperson said in response to an inquiry about the raids.
Homeland Security Investigations, a branch of U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, investigates a host of federal crimes, including child exploitation, drug and human smuggling, money laundering, transnational criminal organizations and illegal exports of controlled technology and weapons.
Combs's lawyer, Dyer, called the raids an "unprecedented ambush."
"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."
Write to Gareth Vipers at gareth.vipers@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 27, 2024 06:40 ET (10:40 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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