Federal agents conducted raids on homes in Los Angeles and Miami on Monday linked to the hip-hop mogul Sean Combs, according to a source familiar with the case.
Homeland Security Investigations carried out the raids but did not disclose specifics about the case, including whether Mr. Combs was a target or the nature of the criminal charges being investigated. Mr. Combs, also known as Puff Daddy or Diddy, has faced allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking in multiple civil lawsuits in recent months.
A representative for Mr. Combs did not provide a comment about the situation.
The criminal investigation is being led by federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York and Homeland Security agents, as stated by a law enforcement official. Nicholas Biase, a spokesperson for the Southern District, declined to comment.
Homeland Security mentioned in a statement that agents from New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and local law enforcement partners.
Footage from Fox 11 (KTTV), a local TV station in Los Angeles, showed armed officers entering a residence in the Holmby Hills area of the city, which a law enforcement official indicated was connected to Mr. Combs. Public records in California also show that the property is owned by a company led by Mr. Combs.
The raids mark a significant development in the career of Mr. Combs, a producer, label executive, and occasional rapper who has been a prominent and influential figure in the music industry for the past three decades.
He has played a major role in shaping hip-hop into a global commercial powerhouse, producing hits for artists like the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige. He has also had successful songs of his own, such as “I’ll Be Missing You” (1997), which paid tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. after his death and featured Faith Evans and sampled The Police’s “Every Breath You Take.”
Mr. Combs has faced accusations of violence for years. In a lawsuit filed in November, he was accused of sexual assault by Casandra Ventura, his former girlfriend and an artist signed to his label, Bad Boy, under the name Cassie.
The civil suit with Ms. Ventura was settled within a day, with both parties stating that the matter had been resolved amicably.
In a statement, Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer representing Ms. Ventura and the anonymous woman who sued Mr. Combs for assault at a New York studio, expressed support for law enforcement in holding Mr. Combs accountable for his actions.
The residence searched in Miami is located on Star Island, a prestigious area popular among celebrities and the affluent. The home in Los Angeles is in the upscale neighborhood of Holmby Hills.
Both locations were surrounded by law enforcement agents and attracted attention from media and onlookers.
Mr. Combs has denied the allegations against him, including those of sexual assault and misconduct.
