An attorney for Sean "Diddy" Combs has dismissed the federal raids on the rap mogul's homes in Los Angeles and Miami on Monday as a "witch hunt" and called them "a gross overuse of military-level force," according to the Los Angeles Times.
The raids came months after four different individuals filed civil lawsuits against Combs, alleging rape, assault and sex trafficking dating back years. In one case, the victim claims she was a minor when the alleged assault took place.
While the raids were taking place, police in Miami arrested Combs associate Brendan Paul, who was described as a drug "mule" in one of the lawsuits against Combs. The L.A. Times reports that Miami-Dade police detained the 25-year-old on suspicion of cocaine possession and a controlled substance laced in candy.
Paul, who was released on $2,500 bail, was apprehended by Homeland Security officers who reportedly found drugs in his bag at the Miami Opa-Locka Executive Airport, where Combs was captured on video by TMZ on Monday walking the grounds.
Also on Monday, the lawsuit brought against Combs in February by Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones, producer of Diddy's Love Album, was amended to include Oscar winner Cuba Gooding Jr. as a co-defendant, according to the L.A. Times.
In the amended complaint, Jones claims Gooding fondled his "legs, upper inner thighs near his groin, the small of his back near his buttocks, and his shoulders," leaving the producer "extremely uncomfortable." Jones claims he rejected Gooding's advances but the actor "did not stop until Mr. Jones forcibly pushed him away."
Of the incident that occurred on Combs' yacht in January 2023, Jones feared Combs "was grooming him to pass him off to his friends." Jones also claims in the lawsuit that Combs was responsible for the alleged assault since he was the owner of the property where the incident took place.
Homeland Security Investigations confirmed to Music Times that raids took place in L.A. and Miami Monday as part "of an ongoing investigation" but did not name Combs in the statement.
"Earlier [Monday], 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. We will provide further information as it becomes available," read the statement from HSI provided to Music Times.
Douglas Wigdor, lawyer for Combs' ex-wife Cassie Ventura and a woman identified as Jane Doe in another lawsuit against Combs, responded to the news of the raids with a statement to Music Times. "We will always support law enforcement when it seeks to prosecute those that have violated the law. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a process that will hold Mr. Combs responsible for his depraved conduct," Wigdor said.
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