Federal investigators have obtained surveillance videos from Sean "Diddy" Combs' mansions as part of an ongoing investigation into sexual assault allegations against the hip-hop mogul. The videos have led to interviews with potential witnesses and accusations of a potential racketeering case.
Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing a deepening investigation as federal authorities have secured surveillance videos from his residences and seek to interview witnesses in connection with sexual assault allegations against him. The videos, obtained from inside Combs' mansions, have sparked concerns about the involvement of other individuals who may have attended his parties where alleged assaults occurred.
A source close to the investigation revealed to CNN that Combs' accusers could soon testify before a federal grand jury. It remains unclear whether the videos were recorded by Combs' security cameras or by individuals present at his parties, and the footage has not yet been made public.
The federal probe has also included interviews with multiple accusers who have filed civil lawsuits against Combs. Spokespersons for the hip-hop magnate have declined to provide any comment on the investigation.
Combs initially denied all wrongdoing but later issued an emotional apology after the leak of a video showing him allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a hotel hallway. Ventura subsequently sued Combs and reached an out-of-court settlement within a day.
Federal investigators are likely to question individuals identified in the surveillance videos and seek additional witnesses from attendees of Combs' parties. Derrick Parker, a former member of the NYPD's hip-hop intelligence unit, believes that an indictment against Combs is likely as the grand jury hears from these witnesses.
Parker suggests that Combs and his attorneys are already preparing for the possibility of an indictment and bail hearing before the summer solstice. However, the emergence of two additional lawsuits against Combs has prompted investigators to interview even more potential witnesses.
Ventura's lawsuit and subsequent settlement have been followed by several civil suits accusing Combs of sexual and physical abuse, including allegations of sex trafficking. Federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted raids on two of Combs' mansions in March as part of the ongoing probe.
Both the Justice Department and HSI have remained tight-lipped on the investigation's details. Combs' ex-girlfriend, Misa Hylton, shared home surveillance footage following the raids, alleging that their son was manhandled by authorities.
Attending witnesses have provided snapshots and cellphone images captured at Combs' gatherings in New York City and aboard yachts, which could serve as additional evidence for investigators.
In addition to the civil lawsuits, authorities in Miami arrested a Combs associate named Brendan Paul on drug charges. Parker suspects that the feds are building a racketeering case against Combs.
Parker, author of "Notorious C.O.P.," predicted in April that the Justice Department would subpoena evidence from Ventura's case, despite any nondisclosure agreement. He also anticipated that videos and photos from Combs' parties would be closely examined to identify witnesses.
To date, no criminal charges have been filed against Combs, but the federal investigation continues to gather momentum through the acquisition of surveillance footage and interviews with potential witnesses.
