Sean “Diddy” Combs faces federal charges in New York, his lawyer says.
The background: Details of the charges were not immediately announced by prosecutors.
The criminal charges would represent a major but not unexpected removal of one of the most prominent producers and most famous names in hip-hop history.
The federal investigation into the 58-year-old Combs was revealed when U.S. Homeland Security Investigations agents issued simultaneous search warrants and raided Combs’ mansions in Los Angeles and Miami on March 25.
The next day, Combs’ defense attorney Aaron Dyer called the raids “a gross military-level use of force” and said the charges were “meritless.” He said Combs was “innocent and will continue to fight” to clear his name.
In November 2023, Combs’ former protégé and girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie, became the first of several people to report him for sexual abuse.
Cassie’s lawsuit was followed by at least a half-dozen others over the next few months.
While authorities have not said publicly that the lawsuits triggered the criminal investigation, Dyer said when the warrants were served that the case was based on “meritless allegations made in civil lawsuits.”
The key quote: “We are disappointed in the decision to pursue what we believe is an unfair prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.” — Combs’ lawyer, Marc Agnifilo.
He added that Combs had gone to New York last week to wait for charges to be filed.
“He is a flawed person, but he is not a criminal,” Agnifilo said.
What else to know: As the founder of Bad Boy Records, Combs has become one of the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past 30 years. Along with Notorious B.I.G., he has worked with a number of top-tier artists including Mary J Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112.
Combs’ roles in his businesses beyond music — including alcohol, a media company and the Sean John fashion line — took big hits when the allegations surfaced.
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