The lawyer of Sean “Diddy” Combs has said in a public statement that the searches of the rapper’s Los Angeles and Miami properties by federal authorities in a sex trafficking investigation were “a gross use of military-level force” and that Combs is “innocent and will continue to fight” to clear his name.
“Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences,” said the statement from attorney Aaron Dyer. “There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated.”
Although officials were not permitted to publicly disclose the specifics of the investigation, two law enforcement officials said the searches were part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation by federal authorities in New York.
According to Dyer’s statement, Combs was not detained, and neither he nor any family members were arrested or had any travel restrictions imposed. However, Combs’ sons, Justin and Christian “King” Combs, were handcuffed during the raid at their father’s residence in Los Angeles.
Dyer said the “unprecedented ambush” has led 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.”
“There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations,” Dyer said. “Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.”
The raid was conducted at Combs’ mansion in Los Angeles and in his Miami waterfront home on Monday by law enforcement. There was a heavy presence of officers and command trucks were parked outside both properties.
The ongoing investigation is a major escalation in the scrutiny of Combs, who has been the defendant in several sexual abuse lawsuits in recent months.
Melissa Enoch
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