A lawyer for music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has released the first public statements from his team since the raid on the rapper's homes.
Federal authorities in the United States were seen outside Combs's mansion in Holmby Hills on the Westside of Los Angeles, California on Monday local time with guns drawn in dramatic footage broadcast live.
The Miami home of the rapper was also searched.
Associated Press reports the searches are part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation by federal authorities in New York.
In a statement, Combs's lawyer Aaron Dyer called the raids an "unprecedented ambush".
"Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr Combs's residences," the statement read.
"There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated."
Combs's sons, Justin and Christian "King" Combs, were seen handcuffed during the raid at their father's residence in Los Angeles.
Mr Dyer said Combs spoke to authorities but was not detained.
He said neither he nor any family members were arrested and their travel has not been restricted.
Mr Dyer said the "premature rush to judgement" of Combs was "nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits".
"There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations," he said.
"Mr Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name."
Diddy's legal woes
In recent months, Combs has been the defendant in several sexual abuse lawsuits and has attracted a great deal of scrutiny.
His former protege and ex-girlfriend R&B singer Cassie alleged years of sexual abuse, including rape, in a lawsuit that was settled one day after it was filed in November 2023.
In February, music producer Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones also filed a lawsuit alleging Combs coerced him to solicit prostitutes and pressured him to have sex with them.
Another accuser said Combs raped her two decades ago when she was 17.
Combs defended his innocence in an Instagram post in December 2023 headlined "Enough is Enough".
"For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy," he wrote in all caps.
"Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday.
"Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth."
Who is Diddy?
Combs, who was formerly known as Puff Daddy and P Diddy, is one of the most influential hip-hop producers and executives in the business.
He is the founder of Bad Boy Records and played a significant role in the careers of artists including the late Notorious BIG, Mary J Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112.
In a career spanning over three decades, Combs has built an empire that includes a liquor brand and the clothing label Sean John.
He also launched a TV Network – Revolt, that he has reportedly sold his stake in.
Combs has won three Grammys including for the 1997 single I'll Be Missing You, which samples Every Breath You Take by The Police and is dedicated to the Notorious BIG who was killed earlier that year.
He's also dabbled in acting – appearing as Walter Lee Younger in the Broadway revival of A Raisin in the Sun and in films including Get Him to the Greek and Monster's Ball.
Combs famously dated Jennifer Lopez from 1991 to 2001. In 1999, both were reportedly arrested on weapons and bribery charges.
Lopez was absolved. It was reported she was detained for 14 hours. Combs was indicted and later acquitted.
ABC/AP
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2024-03-27 01:45:25Z
CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDI0LTAzLTI3L3NlYW4tZGlkZHktY29tYnMtcmFpZHMtbGF3eWVyLXJlc3BvbnNlLXNleC10cmFmZmlja2luZy1yYWlkcy8xMDM2Mzg2MzTSAShodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTAzNjM4NjM0
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