The searches carried out in the residences of American rapper Sean Combs, alias “P. Diddy”, are the product of a “witch hunt based on unfounded accusations”, his lawyer reacted on Tuesday.
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Aaron Dyer, who defends the musician suspected of multiple rapes, denounced in a press release a “blatant excessive use of armed force” during the operations carried out Monday under the aegis of the Department of Homeland Security.
Federal agents searched the rapper’s luxurious villas in Los Angeles and Miami, weapons in hand, under the eye of some American media who captured images of these operations from the air.
AFP
“This unprecedented ambush — coupled with a coordinated media presence — leads to premature judgment of Mr. Combs,” the lawyer added. “Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every day to clear his name.”
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the searches, without giving a reason.
AFP
They come at a time when the rapper is the target of several rape accusations, in complaints which describe him as a sexually violent predator capable of drugging his victims.
In mid-November, his ex-partner, R&B singer Cassie, was the first to file a civil complaint for rape and physical violence against the rapper. A case closed “amicably” two days later, thanks to an agreement the details of which were not disclosed.
AFP
The singer’s complaint accused the rap star of having engaged in “violent behavior” and “deviant demands” for “more than a decade.” She explained that she had been forced to engage in sexual relations with several men in various American cities.
Suspicions of rape of a minor
Since then, two other women have filed complaints. One of them did so by name and accused him of having “drugged and sexually assaulted” her in 1992, at the time when the rapper was called “Puff Daddy”.
MEGA/WENN
In December, Sean Combs was also the target of a civil complaint in New York accusing him of gang rape of a 17-year-old minor in 2003.
“There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability regarding these charges,” his lawyer emphasized.
AFP
Mr. Combs — also known as Puff Daddy — was at a Miami airport on Monday and had a conversation with federal agents, without being arrested, a police source told AFP.
According to the New York Times, he was preparing to fly to the Bahamas, but ultimately stayed in the United States.
AFP
“Neither Mr. Combs nor any member of his family have been arrested and their ability to travel has not been restricted in any way,” insisted his lawyer, denouncing “the way in which his children and his employees were treated .”
During the searches carried out in Los Angeles on Monday, the rapper’s sons, Justin and King Combs, were handcuffed, according to images published by several American media.
AFP
P. Diddy’s private jet landed Monday evening on the Caribbean island of Antigua, several media also claimed, a few hours after the searches, without the rapper being on board. Flight tracking data shows the plane, named LoveAir, took off from an airport in Southern California.
P. Diddy founded the label Bad Boy Records in 1993, a prelude to his rise to the top of the hip-hop scene. He notably produced the late Notorious BIG, who died in 1997, and Mary J. Blige.
A major rap figure, he rose to the rank of billionaire thanks to his investments in fashion and alcoholic beverages.
