Federal Homeland Security Investigations raided the Los Angeles and Miami residences of Sean Combs on Monday as part of an ongoing sex trafficking probe, the AP reported.
While the specific target of the raid remains undisclosed and Combs has not been arrested as of Tuesday, this represents the latest and most serious development in a series of legal challenges facing the music mogul, also known as Diddy. Over the past five months, allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against him have accumulated.
In November, Combs’ ex-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and abuse during their 10-year relationship. Combs denied these allegations, and Ventura, known as Cassie, reached a settlement with Combs the day after filing the lawsuit. However, additional women subsequently came forward with their own claims of rape, sex trafficking, and sexual abuse. In February, music producer Rodney Jones Jr., aka Lil Rod, filed a lawsuit alleging that Combs had groped him and forced him into sexual acts with sex workers.
Combs has consistently denied all prior allegations against him. Following Monday’s raids, his attorney Aaron Dyer released a statement to Business Insider, asserting that Combs cooperated with authorities but was not detained. Dyer criticized what he described as an “unprecedented ambush” and “witch hunt” fueled by baseless accusations from civil lawsuits. He emphasized that no criminal or civil liability had been established regarding these claims.
Diddy’s career spans several decades and industries, characterized by significant financial success. Since founding Bad Boy Records in 1993, he has amassed substantial wealth, pioneering business strategies widely emulated in the music industry. Combs’ ventures extend beyond music into fashion, liquor, and media.
His clothing line, Sean John, was a significant revenue stream, selling clothing, furniture, and fragrances through major retailers like Macy’s. Despite a decline in brand popularity, Combs regained ownership in 2021 after initially selling it for a reported $7.6 million.
Combs’ most lucrative venture began in 2007 when he became a brand ambassador for Ciroc vodka. His unique deal with Diageo resulted in significant sales growth, and he eventually earned nearly a billion dollars from the partnership, according to court filings. Additionally, he invested in other ventures, including the Revolt TV network and Aquahydrate water company.
Despite his commercial success, Combs faces ongoing legal challenges that threaten his reputation and financial stability. As investigations continue, the outcome remains uncertain for the influential music mogul.
Diddy's partnership with Ciroc was his most lucrative income stream. He earned tens of millions a year for promoting the brand. Ethan Miller/Getty Images
In 2022, Combs crossed the billionaire threshold for the first time. In a 1999 interview with Forbes, Combs expressed his desire to amass significant wealth, a goal he achieved years later. By 2022, Combs’ net worth had soared to $1 billion, as reported by Zack O’Malley Greenburg, author of the Jay-Z biography “Empire State of Mind,” known for tracking the finances of hip-hop’s top earners.
Although his net worth may have experienced some fluctuations in recent times due to relinquishing the publishing rights for Bad Boy’s artists and the dissolution of his deal with Diageo, Combs remains one of the wealthiest figures in hip-hop. With earnings exceeding $1 billion pre-tax from ventures like the Ciroc deal, his record label, and Sean John, Combs has made significant investments, splurging on luxury items such as an eight-figure jet, over $1 million worth of jewelry, and a prized art collection featuring works by esteemed artists like Kerry James Marshall, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
His real estate holdings are equally impressive, boasting expansive properties in Los Angeles and on Miami’s Star Island valued at $46 million and $36 million, respectively, according to county assessments.
Beyond his immense wealth, Combs has wielded considerable influence, a combination that some view as both powerful and perilous. Allegations of abuse and manipulation have surfaced, with Ventura’s attorney characterizing him as “immensely powerful and immensely dangerous.” Ventura’s complaint suggests that Combs used his position as the head of Bad Boy Records to lure her into his circle and subsequently employed his wealth and influence to conceal the abuse.
Other lawsuits, including one filed by Joi Dickerson-Neal in November alleging drugging and assault in 1991, and another filed by an unnamed woman in December accusing Combs of involvement in sex trafficking and gang rape, underscore the gravity of the allegations against him. The legal challenges, coupled with federal raids on his properties, suggest that Combs’ reign as a hip-hop powerhouse may be nearing its end. These developments have led to significant repercussions, including Combs stepping down as Revolt’s chairman, selling his shares, and the cancellation of a reality show about his family by Hulu. Moreover, several lawsuits implicate Bad Boy or Combs Enterprises as defendants, indicating broader legal ramifications beyond Combs’ personal finances.