Why Were Diddy's LA Homes Raided?
Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Sean "Diddy" Combs' homes were raided by the Department of Homeland Security, and it reportedly came as much of a shock to him as it did to the rest of the world.
According to TMZ, Combs had no clue that he was a target of an investigation until federal officers were at the door of his homes in Los Angeles and Miami.
Once the feds get involved, well, you know whatever it is, it's serious—and the allegations that have been building up against Combs are harrowing. Please be aware that the below details may be unsettling and triggering for survivors of sexual assault and abuse.
Related: Bill Cosby's Rep Speaks Out In Support of Sean 'Diddy' Combs
Why did Feds raid Diddy's homes?
On Monday, March 25, 2024, federal agents and Homeland Security officers raided Combs' properties in Beverly Hills and Miami. At the time, Combs was reportedly with his children gearing up for their spring break at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.
TMZ reported that the raid was part of a case from New York's Southern District, tied to sex trafficking allegations against the rapper and mogul. The Associated Press also reported that the raid stemmed from a federal sex trafficking investigation. The specifics of that investigation and the allegations within it haven't been made public.
HIGHFIVE/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images
On March 26, 2024, Combs' attorney told Page Six in a statement, "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. 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."
His lawyer also noted that media appeared to be informed of the raid before Combs was, noting, "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."
Where was Diddy during the raid?
At the time of the raid, Combs was reportedly at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, heading out for a spring break trip to the Bahamas with his kids.
Another one of his private jets was traveling from California to Antigua during the raids, leading rumors to circulate that he was attempting to flee the country. However, Combs was not on that flight. According to NBC News, authorities seized Combs' phones at the time of the raid. It's unclear if he actually ended up taking the trip.
What is Sean "Diddy" Combs being investigated for?
Combs is reportedly being investigated for sex trafficking. Details of the investigation and specific accusations haven't yet been made public.
Where is Diddy now?
Combs was last seen publicly at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport amid the raids on his properties. As his lawyer stated, there are currently no travel restrictions on him or his family members, so it's not yet known where he is currently located.
What did Diddy do to Cassie?
Here comes the "civil lawsuits" part of Combs' attorney's statement.
Combs' ex, singer and model Cassie Ventura, was the first person who publicly levied sex trafficking accusations against him in November 2023 civil lawsuit. She told The New York Times in a statement at the time, "After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships."
Ventura's allegations were horrifying, to say the least: She accused Combs of sexual, physical and mental abuse beginning when she was 19 years old, as well as of controlling virtually every aspect of her life and career. She said in the suit that Combs drugged her and plied her with alcohol to engage in sex acts with male prostitutes while he filmed her, as well as of regularly beating her physically to the point where she suffers memory loss. The suit alleges that she was fearful to report the abuse or leave Combs because she was scared he would do worse to her if she did.
Ventura also claimed that after Combs became angry that she dated rapper Kid Cudi in 2011, Kid Cudi's car exploded in her driveway—which the "Day 'N' Nite" rapper himself corroborated.
She said she left Combs for good in 2018 after she met him for dinner and he allegedly forced himself into her apartment and raped her.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Combs vehemently denied all of the allegations, with his attorney Ben Brafman telling Parade in a statement, "Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations. For the past six months, Mr. Combs has been subjected to Ms. Ventura's persistent demand of $30 million, under the threat of writing a damaging book about their relationship, which was unequivocally rejected as blatant blackmail. Despite withdrawing her initial threat, Ms. Ventura has now resorted to filing a lawsuit riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs' reputation and seeking a pay day."
Related: All of Sean "Diddy" Combs' Kids
What happened with the Cassie Diddy lawsuit?
Days after Ventura made her allegations against Combs public, Combs quickly settled the suit, with Brafman noting that settling a lawsuit doesn't mean admitting guilt.
What is Diddy Combs accused of?
After Ventura's suit was settled out of court, several other accusers came forward with allegations against Combs. Three other women sued Combs for sexual assault in late 2023, including one who alleged that Combs and his associates gang raped her when she was a minor and another who accused Combs of producing and disseminating revenge porn.
Combs denied all of the allegations, telling PEOPLE in a statement, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. 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."
A rep for Combs also said of the allegations are "fabricated claims falsely alleging misconduct from over 30 years ago and filed at the last minute."
"This is nothing but a money grab. Because of Mr. Combs' fame and success, he is an easy target for anonymous accusers who lie without conscience or consequence for financial benefit," the spokesperson said. "The New York Legislature surely did not intend or expect the Adult Survivors Act to be exploited by scammers. The public should be skeptical and not rush to accept these bogus allegations."
Related: Quiet on Set: Dan Schneider, Brian Peck, Nickelodeon Scandals
What happened with Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones and Diddy?
In late February 2024, producer and videographer Rodney "Lil' Rod" Jones sued Combs, Combs' son Justin and several of Combs' associates. He accused Combs of sexually harassing, drugging and abusing him for more than a year, PEOPLE reported. Jones alleged that while producing Combs' Love album and filming him, he was subjected to "constant unsolicited and unauthorized groping and touching of his anus by Mr. Combs," and claimed Combs showed him sexually explicit videos.
Jones also alleged that he was drugged and raped on at least one occasion at Combs' Miami home, that one of Yung Miami's cousins sexually assaulted him in front of Combs and that Combs regularly brought prostitutes to his home. Jones also claimed to have footage of "Combs providing laced alcoholic beverages to minors and sex workers at his homes in California, New York, the U. S. Virgin Islands, and Florida."
Combs' attorney firmly denied Jones' allegations, telling PEOPLE that Jones was "a liar who filed a $30 million lawsuit shamelessly looking for an undeserved payday" and trying to "garner headlines ... We have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies. Our attempts to share this proof with Mr. Jones’ attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, have been ignored, as Mr. Blackburn refuses to return our calls. We will address these outlandish allegations in court and take all appropriate action against those who make them."
A spokesperson for Justin also denied all allegations to TMZ.
Who is Brendan Paul, Diddy's alleged "mule?"
Rich Barnes/Getty Images
Former Syracuse University basketball star Brendan Paul was arrested in Miami at Opa Locka Executive Airport on March 25, 2024. According to arrest records obtained by Rolling Stone, police and Homeland Security agents worked in tandem to apprehend Paul on charges of marijuana and cocaine possession.
Jones named Paul in his lawsuit against Combs, alleging that Paul was Combs' "mule" who "acquired and distributed Mr. Combs' drugs and guns."
An attorney for Paul told Rolling Stone, "We do not plan on trying this case in the media—all issues will be dealt with in court."
Related: Why Prince Harry Was Dragged Into Diddy's Legal Drama
What is the Prince Harry-Diddy connection?
CARL DE SOUZA/Getty Images
Prince Harry was named in one of Combs' civil lawsuits as an example of the influential, wealthy and powerful people with whom Combs associates. That said, they seem to barely know each other outside of Combs performing at a concert to honor what would have been the late Princess Diana's 46th birthday—and Prince William was also in attendance at the event. It's pretty curious why no one mentioned that the future King of England was present, no?
