U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents have opened an investigation of hip-hop star Sean "Diddy" Combs, searching properties connected to him in Los Angeles and Miami, an agency spokesperson said on Monday. - REUTERS
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00:00 Federal agents searched the homes of hip-hop star Sean "Diddy" Combs in Los Angeles and Miami on Monday.
00:07 The 54-year-old, who has gone by P. Diddy, Puff Daddy and Diddy, is one of the most influential producers and executives in hip-hop.
00:14 He was hit with a federal lawsuit last year from a former girlfriend who accused him of sex trafficking.
00:20 A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said the inquiry was directed by agents in New York, where the lawsuit was filed.
00:27 Official statements about the investigation revealed little about what exactly prompted the searches.
00:32 Homeland Security investigations have broad jurisdiction to look into the illegal movement of people, goods and more across the U.S. borders and within it, including sex trafficking.
00:42 Last November, R&B vocalist Cassandra Ventura sued Combs in federal court in Manhattan.
00:49 She had accused Combs of subjecting her to serial physical abuse, sexual slavery and rape.
00:55 She alleged Combs regularly beat her over the course of a 10-year professional and romantic relationship, controlled her through intimidation and gave her drugs and alcohol.
01:06 The lawsuit cited violations of sex trafficking and human trafficking statutes under federal New York and California laws.
01:13 Combs, through his lawyer, flatly denied the allegations.
01:16 The next day, Combs and Ventura jointly announced they had settled the case out of court.
01:22 Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
01:25 The lawsuit by Ventura was one of at least four civil complaints brought in recent months leveling sexual assault allegations against Combs.
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