Feds Escalate Diddy Probe: Sex Trafficking, Drugs, Grand Jury Targeted

Here is one more description of the article: This in-depth piece examines the shocking allegations of sexual assault, drugging, and potential sex trafficking that have been leveled against hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs by multiple women in civil lawsuits. It details how federal investigators have escalated the case, preparing to bring Combs' many accusers before a grand jury as part of a criminal probe that could result in indictments against the music entrepreneur. The article dives into the disturbing claims made in the lawsuits, including accusations of Combs secretly recording sexual encounters and incapacitating victims with drugs. It also explores how former associates like the mother of The Notorious B.I.G. have turned against Combs amid the scandal. With Combs keeping an extremely low profile, the piece looks at how this legal firestorm could permanently tarnish his legacy in the entertainment industry.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome everyone to another episode exploring thecontroversies and legal troubles surrounding famous hip hop
mogul Sean Ditty Combs. In thisepisode, we'll delve into the disturbing allegations
of sexual assault, drugging, andpotential sex trafficking that multiple women have leveled

(00:22):
against Combs in civil lawsuits. We'llalso examine how federal investigators have now taken
up the case, preparing to bringComb's many accusers before a grand jury as
part of a criminal probe that couldresult in indictments. Buckle up as we
unpack the sordid details of this escalatingscandal that has cast a dark cloud over

(00:48):
Comb's entertainment empire and legacy. Youdon't want to miss this jaw dropping look
into the seedy underbelly of alleged abuse, exploitation, and pravity. Federal investigators
are taking a significant step in theirongoing probe into alleged misconduct by music mogul
Sean Ditty Combs. They are preparingto bring accusers who have filed civil lawsuits

(01:15):
against Combs to testify before a federalgrand jury in New York City. This
signals the US Justice Department's investigation isescalating toward potentially pursuing criminal indictments against the
rapper and Bad Boy Records founder.Since November twenty twenty three, Combs has
been named as a defendant in eightseparate civil lawsuits. Seven of those lawsuits

(01:42):
directly accuse him of sexual assault againstmultiple women over several decades. One lawsuit
filed by Combe's former longtime girlfriend,Cassie Ventura, was swiftly settled out of
court just a day after being broughtlast November. However, the six remaining
law suits alleging sexual assault by Combsremain ongoing. Another civil case accused his

(02:07):
adult son, Christian Combs, ofsexual assault, with Shahncombs himself accused of
aiding and abetting those alleged crimes.While the civil lawsuits make claims seeking monetary
damages, this federal criminal investigation,led by Homeland Security Investigations h s I,

(02:28):
has much higher legal stakes at play. H s I is the division
tasked with investigating potential human trafficking,drug smuggling, money laundering, and other
major organized crimes. Federal law enforcementsources state that the ongoing probe involving Combs
has an extremely broad scope that goesfar beyond just the sexual assault allegations contained

(02:53):
in the seven civil suits. Investigatorsare also looking into potential crimes of sex
trafficking, money laundering, illegal drugdistribution, and more that may have been
committed by Combe's entertainment empire over manyyears. As one source put it,
it's much bigger than just these lawsuits. This serious probe escalated significantly in March

(03:17):
when federal agents raided and searched Combe'shomes in Los Angeles and Miami, seizing
potential evidence. At that time,multiple outlets reported that Combs himself was the
target of the sex trafficking investigation.In the months since the high profile searches,
federal investigators have doubled down on gatheringevidence. The majority of the plaintiffs

(03:42):
who filed those seven sexual assault civilsuits against Comb's have now been interviewed extensively
by the agents spearheading the probe.These accusers have been actively cooperating and providing
materials like videos, messages, andother potential evidencedents they believe may be helpful.
Authorities have also been systematically questioning manyother potential witnesses and individuals with possible

(04:09):
knowledge of Comb's activities over the years. According to sources, at least one
male sex worker who claims to havebeen victimized by Comb's has already spoken to
federal agents after being identified on videorecordings investigators obtained from inside Comb's homes and
venues. Among the most disturbing allegationsrepeatedly raised in the civil suits were claims

(04:32):
by multiple women that Combs surreptitiously recordedsexual encounters with them without consent, and
that he routinely used drugs to incapacitatepotential victims. While Comb's has broadly denied
all allegations in a blanket statement,prosecutors seem to be taking the drugging and

(04:53):
illicit recording claims very seriously, basedon the evidence collected so far. The
severity and shocking nature of the allegationsin this case have led to a growing
chorus of condemnation toward Comb's from bothinside and outside the music industry. Perhaps
most damningly, even those once closelyassociated with the mogul have turned against him

(05:17):
publicly. Valletta Wallace, the motherof legendary rapper The Notorious Big, who
was tightly linked to Combe's Bad BoyRecords label. In the nineteen nineties,
gave a scathing interview, lashing outat her former friend and professional partner.
I'm sick to my stomach, Wallacesaid about the allegations against Comb's I hope

(05:40):
that I see Sean one day,and the only thing I want to do
is slap the daylights out of him, she stated bluntly. Wallace's rage followed
an explosive investigative report by Rolling StoneMagazine that dredged up other startling allegations about
Combe's history of abusive behavior and toxicbusiness practices. The article included an eye

(06:05):
witness claim that as an angry youngman while attending Howard University in the nineteen
eighties, Combs allegedly beat his girlfriendat the time with a belt in public
on campus. The report also allegedthat after the murder of Combe's close friend
and star artist Notorious big in nineteenninety seven, Combs's work to commercially exploit

(06:30):
the tragedy for his own benefit ratherthan properly memorializing Biggie. It's claimed Combe's
demanded publicity like getting himself on thecover of Rolling Stone magazine instead of allowing
a memorial issue honoring his slain friend. Amid this growing legal fire storm,
reports have also emerged about Comb's beinglargely absent from major family events as he

(06:56):
seemingly tries to avoid public attention.According to TMZ, Combs did not attend
his seventeen year old daughter Chance's highschool graduation ceremony from the prestigious Sierra Canyon
School in Los Angeles in late May. While other family members celebrated Chance's achievement,
sources stated Combs intended to remain hunkereddown in Miami, avoiding any unnecessary

(07:23):
appearances that could potentially compromise the intensifyingfederal investigation against him. This absence came
just weeks after he also skipped outon prom celebrations for two of his other
children with his late ex girlfriend,Kim Porter. No official explanation was provided
by Combs for missing these significant familymilestones. However, the sources indicate he

(07:48):
is following legal advice to keep anextremely low profile and restrict travel for the
time being as the probe plays out. This line's up up with Combs's last
high profile trip in March, whenfederal agents from Homeland Security Investigations intercepted and
searched his private jet in Florida relatedto the investigation. While Combs has not

(08:13):
been formally charged or arrested at thispoint, the volume of disturbing allegations and
already public evidence like the twenty sixteenhotel video of him assaulting Cassie Ventura,
have put him in an unenviable legalposition. In addressing that particular video,
Combs said, I was f asteriskasterisk ket up. I hit rock bottom,

(08:35):
but I make no excuses. Mybehavior on that video is inexcusable.
However, he has still stopped shortof fully acknowledging the many other more extreme
claims made by Ventura and several accusersin the subsequent civil suits and criminal probe.
These include accusations of drugging victims,rapes, sex trafficking, production of

(08:58):
illicit pornographic reasdings, and a generalpattern of predatory violent behavior over decades.
The repeated consistent allegations of drugging andillegal recordings in particular appear to be a
major focus area for federal prosecutors asthey begin bringing accusers before the newly convened
Grand Jury in New York. Establishingevidence of these tactics could lead to additional

(09:24):
serious charges around production and distribution ofillicit pornography, among other potential crimes.
Homeland security investigations and the US JusticeDepartment prosecutors clearly view the potential criminal conduct
by Combs as far more extensive anddisturbing than just individual instances of sexual assault,

(09:48):
based on their escalating legal actions.As the grand jury process ramps up,
more details in first hand testimony isexpected to be compelled from Comb's accusers
and other potential witnesses under oath,which could shape the future of any indictments
ultimately pursued.