Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case

Police search Sean "Diddy" Combs' house — Combs' successful career has been "dogged for decades by accusations of violence"

(Image credit: Giorgio Viera / AFP via Getty Images)

What happened

Homeland Security agents searched properties owned by hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs in the Miami and Los Angeles areas on Monday as part of a federal inquiry into sex trafficking allegations, law enforcement sources told several news organizations.

Who said what

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) "executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation," the department said in a statement. Combs, 54, settled sexual assault claims from former girlfriend Cassandra "Cassie" Ventura in November, but after a fourth lawsuit was filed against him in December, he denied the "sickening allegations" from "individuals looking for a quick payday."

The commentary

The raids are a "stunning development" in the career of Combs, who "played an integral role in the transformation of hip hop into a global commercial force" but has also been "dogged for decades by accusations of violence," The New York Times said. Hopefully this is the start of holding "Combs responsible for his depraved conduct," said Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer for Ventura and another unnamed Combs sex trafficking accuser.

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What next?

"We will provide further information as it becomes available," HSI said.

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.