Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs


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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
"We will provide further information as it becomes available," HSI said.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
Trump uses tariffs to upend Brazil's domestic politics
IN THE SPOTLIGHT By slapping a 50% tariff on Brazil for its criminal investigation into Bolsonaro, the Trump administration is brazenly putting its fingers on the scales of a key foreign election
-
3 questions to ask when deciding whether to repair or replace your broken appliance
the explainer There may be merit to fixing what you already have, but sometimes buying new is even more cost-effective
-
'Trump's authoritarian manipulation of language'
Instant Opinion Vienna has become a 'convenient target for populists' | Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Australian woman found guilty of mushroom murders
speed read Erin Patterson murdered three of her ex-husband's relatives by serving them toxic death cap mushrooms
-
Combs convicted on 2 of 5 charges, denied bail
Speed Read Sean 'Diddy' Combs was acquitted of the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking
-
Sniper kills 2 Idaho firefighters in ambush
Speed Read A man started a wildfire, then fired a rifle at first responders when they arrived
-
Weinstein convicted of sex crime in retrial
Speed Read The New York jury delivered a mixed and partial verdict at the disgraced Hollywood producer's retrial
-
'King of the Hill' actor shot dead outside home
speed read Jonathan Joss was fatally shot by a neighbor who was 'yelling violent homophobic slurs,' says his husband
-
DOJ, Boulder police outline attacker's confession
speed read Mohamed Sabry Soliman planned the attack for a year and 'wanted them all to die'
-
Assailant burns Jewish pedestrians in Boulder
speed read Eight people from the Jewish group were hospitalized after a man threw Molotov cocktails in a 'targeted act of violence'
-
Driver rams van into crowd at Liverpool FC parade
speed read 27 people were hospitalized following the attack