CNN
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Federal investigators are making ready to carry accusers of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs earlier than a federal grand jury, two sources conversant in the probe inform CNN — signaling the US Justice Division is transferring towards doubtlessly searching for an indictment of Combs.
Potential witnesses have been notified by investigators that they might be introduced in to testify in entrance of a federal grand jury in New York Metropolis, in accordance with one supply. Bringing people who’ve filed civil lawsuits towards Combs earlier than a grand jury would mark a big escalation within the authorities’s ongoing investigation involving the producer and Unhealthy Boy Data founder.
Combs has been named in eight civil lawsuits since November – seven straight accusing him of sexual assault. One of many eight lawsuits, filed by former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, has been settled. One other lawsuit accused his son Christian Combs of sexual assault, and Sean Combs is accused of aiding and abetting.
A spokesperson for the Homeland Safety Investigations company (HSI) declined to touch upon the existence of a grand jury, however famous the investigation stays ongoing.
These potential witnesses haven’t but been prepped for testimony, each sources informed CNN, cautioning that HSI investigators are nonetheless within the technique of gathering proof and questioning potential sources of knowledge of their federal probe into Combs.
One supply mentioned investigators are being thorough and taking their time to make sure that an indictment, ought to there be one, is “bulletproof.”
Grand juries comprised of extraordinary residents are critical tools utilized by prosecutors, offering each an investigative operate in approving the subpoenaing of paperwork and witnesses, and a vote on whether or not to criminally cost suspects. The usage of a grand jury indicators a selected case has moved past the preliminary stage the place investigators usually assess whether or not potential violations of the regulation are believed to have been dedicated.
Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami have been searched again in March. At the moment, CNN reported that the rapper and entrepreneur was the goal of a federal investigation carried out by a Division of Homeland Safety crew that handles human trafficking crimes, and the continued investigation included a give attention to intercourse trafficking, in accordance with regulation enforcement sources.
Now, extra sources informed CNN that almost all of the plaintiffs who’ve filed civil fits towards Combs have been interviewed by federal investigators.
Combs has vehemently denied claims from lots of the civil fits however has not responded to all the allegations. In December 2023, after 4 lawsuits had been filed towards him, Combs posted a fierce denial on his social media, writing that “sickening allegations” had been made by accusers “on the lookout for a fast payday.” “Let me be completely clear: I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged.”
CNN beforehand reported in March, per a regulation enforcement supply, that the investigation stems from lots of the sexual assault allegations put forth in several of the civil lawsuits towards Combs. CNN has realized that the scope of the investigation is far bigger, specializing in intercourse trafficking, cash laundering and unlawful medication.
Along with human trafficking, HSI additionally investigates narcotics smuggling and different organized felony exercise.
“It’s a lot larger than simply these lawsuits,” one of many sources conversant in the scope of the investigation mentioned.
Federal investigators at the moment are “digging deeper,” and a few of the accusers have been questioned quite a few instances, a supply mentioned. A second supply corroborates this present state of the investigation.
Accusers who’ve spoken to federal brokers throughout the investigation have been actively cooperating with investigators, with some handing over proof they consider could also be useful within the probe, one supply mentioned. Investigators are additionally bringing in new people for questioning, together with corroborating witnesses of accusers.
Federal brokers are in possession of video taken inside Combs’ lately searched residences, a supply mentioned. It’s unclear whether or not the video was seized throughout the raids, or whether or not investigators obtained video from people they’ve been questioning.
“They’re contacting folks that they’ve discovered on the tapes,” a supply informed CNN.
Not less than one male intercourse employee, who claims he has been victimized by Combs, has been questioned throughout the investigation, one supply mentioned, including that this particular person was seen in footage that’s in possession of the federal investigators.
In a few of the lawsuits towards Combs, accusers have alleged that they have been knowledgeable, after the actual fact, that they have been recorded having intercourse with out giving their consent to be filmed. Combs has not responded to this particular accusation, however he dismissed all alleged wrongdoing in a blanket denial he posted in December 2023.
“Diddy” dealing with extra abuse allegations
In a few of the civil fits, Combs is alleged of drugging a number of accusers. Within the two most up-to-date lawsuits filed towards Combs inside the previous week, former vogue scholar April Lampros and former mannequin Crystal McKinney each accused Combs of drugging them. In Lampros’ go well with, she claims that Combs pressured her to take ecstasy after which demand she have sexual activity with certainly one of his former girlfriends earlier than raping her.
Combs has not responded to CNN’s requests for remark since these two lawsuits have been filed.
Combs was additionally accused in a civil go well with filed last November of “deliberately drugging” and sexually assaulting Joi Dickerson-Neal again in 1991, when she was a school scholar. Although his authorized crew has filed a movement to dismiss parts of this go well with, Dickerson-Neal additionally accused Combs of “revenge porn,” claiming that Combs secretly recorded the sexual assault. Days later, a male pal revealed to Dickerson-Neal that he had considered it, in accordance with her declare.
Combs’ crew didn’t reply to particular allegations of drugging or secret recordings, however a spokesperson on the time mentioned the grievance was “made up and never credible,” discrediting the accusations as “purely a cash seize.” Of their motion to dismiss, which continues to be pending, attorneys for Combs referred to as Dickerson-Neal’s allegations “false, offensive, and salacious.”