Diddy investigation: Timeline of events
NEW YORK - It's been five months since R&B singer Cassie accused Sean "Diddy" Combs of sexual abuse in an explosive lawsuit that set off a media frenzy.
Despite reaching a settlement, authorities with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) raided two properties owned by Combs in connection to a sex trafficking investigation.
Since then, many legal experts and officials have said there are signs that the investigation may be further along than previously thought.
A former federal prosecutor told FOX 5 NY's Lisa Evers that Diddy might even be facing a RICO sex trafficking case.
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Diddy's award-winning career spanning over three decades has a list of legal troubles including sexual assault, rape allegations, and allegedly swinging a kettlebell at a UCLA football coach.
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"They have now conducted two public search warrants of two homes. That's a significant step in any investigation. It means they have probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and that they'll find evidence of that crime in those locations," Nadia Shihata, a former federal prosecutor and current partner of the law firm Shihata and Geddes LLP said.
Combs has denied the allegations and so far there have been no arrests.
Here is a timeline of the details following the allegations.
File: Musicians Sean "Diddy" Combs and Cassie Ventura attend the GQ Men of the Year Party at Chateau Marmont on November 13, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Vespa/Getty Images For GQ)
Nov. 17, 2023: Diddy accused of subjecting Cassie to yearslong abusive relationship
Sean "Diddy" Combs, was accused in a lawsuit of subjecting R&B singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura to a yearslong relationship that included beatings and rape.
Ventura, alleged in the suit filed against the producer and music mogul in New York federal court that Combs brought her into his "ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle" not long after she met him and signed to his label when she was 19 and he was 37 in 2005.
Attorney Ben Brafman said Combs "vehemently denies" the allegations.
The suit alleges that, "prone to uncontrollable rage," he subjected her to "savage" beatings in which he punched, kicked and stomped her. It alleges he plied her with drugs, and forced her to have sex with other men while he masturbated and filmed them.
Brafman called the allegations "lies."
By the end of 2023, Diddy had been accused of sexual assault in three other lawsuits by different women.
Mar. 25, 2024: Diddy's million dollar homes raided by federal agents
Months later, Diddy’s LA and Miami homes were reportedly raided.
Homeland Security Investigation agents were seen at the entrance of his Miami beach home at Star Island in Miami Beach on March 25, 2024.
That same day, agents raided his $40 million Los Angeles home.
At this point, the music mogul had become the subject of significant media attention as a result of the raids.
Although Combs was not present during the raids, his two sons, Justin and Christian "King" Combs, were briefly detained.
Sean Combs aka Diddy attends the celebration for Diddy's birthday and new album launch at LAVO on November 9, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for TAO Group Hospitality)
Mar. 28, 2024: Diddy reportedly lawyers up amid numerous sexual assault allegations
Followign the raids of his Miami and LA homes, it became evident that the investigation involving Sean "Diddy" Combs was moving along.
Former NYPD Det. Derrick Parker, known as the "Hip Hop Cop", who is familiar with the producer told FOX 5 NY "it's not looking that great," with regard to the investigation.
Diddy's inner circle, including lawyers and public relations experts, met in Miami following the raids to devise some strategies to counter the barrage of negative comments and publicity on social media.
"Right now, I know that he has hired power attorneys, with all these allegations that are coming out against him, against other people, a lot of people starting to be very nervous about what's going on," Parker said.
FILE-The atmosphere at Sean 'Diddy' Combs and CIROC Ultra-Premium Vodka New Year's Eve Party On Star Island in Miami, FL on December 31, 2015. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for CIROC)
Mar. 31, 2024: Diddy breaks Instagram silence with Easter post
The music producer under investigation, took to Instagram to post a series of heartwarming photographs featuring his 17-month-old daughter.
Combs captioned the picture, "HAPPY EASTER from Bay Love," while opting to disable comments on the post.
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 25: In an aerial view, the home of Sean "Diddy" Combs is seen during a raid by federal law enforcement agents on March 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)
Apr. 2, 2024: Mother of Diddy's sons, Misa Hylton raises concerns over house raid
Misa Hylton, mother of two of Diddy's sons, raised concerns following the federal raids.
She posted video from inside Combs' LA home during the raid. Hylton called the raid overtly militarized and deplorable, saying her son Justin had several lasers pointed at his chest, and her son Christian had a gun pointed at his head while handcuffed.
Diddy and his attorneys have categorically denied all the allegations in the civil cases. He has not been charged with any crime in connection with the sex abuse allegations
Law enforcement officials confirm that a federal sex trafficking investigation is ongoing.