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On
Monday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it had
opened an investigation into hip-hop star Combs and searched his
homes in the Miami area and in Los Angeles.
Aaron Dyer, an attorney for Combs, called the raids "a gross
overuse of military-level force."
Local television images on Monday showed an armored vehicle and
officers carrying rifles outside Combs' Los Angeles home.
Authorities detained some people at the property with their
hands bound by zip ties.
Combs cooperated with authorities, Dyer said, and neither he nor
any family members have been arrested or had their travel
restricted.
"This unprecedented ambush - paired with an advanced,
coordinated media presence - leads 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," Dyer
added.
The Homeland Security department has not said what it is
investigating with regard to Combs and did not immediately
respond to a request for comment on Dyer's remarks.
The agency has broad jurisdiction to probe the illegal movement
of people, goods, money, technology and contraband into, out of
and throughout the United States, including sex trafficking.
In a civil lawsuit filed in Manhattan in mid-November, R&B
vocalist Cassandra Ventura accused Combs of subjecting her to
physical abuse, sexual slavery and rape during a 10-year
professional and romantic relationship.
The lawsuit cited violations of sex trafficking and human
trafficking statutes. Ventura and Combs, who has used such
monikers as P. Diddy, Puff Daddy and Diddy, settled the case
under confidential terms. Representatives for Combs said at the
time the settlement was "in no way an admission of wrongdoing".
The lawsuit was one of at least four civil complaints in recent
months leveling sexual assault allegations against Combs.
"There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with
any of these allegations," Dyer said on Tuesday. "Mr. Combs is
innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear
his name."
Combs, founder of the landmark label Bad Boy Records, is one of
the most influential producers and executives in hip-hop and a
hugely successful performer, as well as the impresario of his
own Sean John clothing line.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
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