Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ attorney, Aaron Dyer, has issued the first public statement regarding the mogul in response to Monday’s Department of Homeland Security raid on his properties in Los Angeles and Miami.
Dyer asserted Combs’ innocence and criticized the search conducted on his residences as an “excessive use of military-level force.”
“There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated,” Dyer’s statement read. “Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way.”
Dyer emphasized that Combs was not detained but cooperated with authorities, and neither he nor any family members were arrested or had their travel restricted.
Despite speculation, no charges have been filed following the search, which reportedly was part of a sex trafficking investigation according to sources cited by the Associated Press and Los Angeles Times.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated on Monday that the search was part of an ongoing investigation, conducted with assistance from various law enforcement agencies.
The search followed civil suits filed by five accusers alleging sexual assault or abuse by Combs, including claims from his ex-girlfriend, singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura, in November. While Ventura settled her suit quickly, the other four remain unresolved.
Dyer characterized the search as an “unprecedented ambush” and criticized the media presence surrounding it, portraying it as a premature judgment of Combs. He labeled the situation as a witch hunt based on baseless civil accusations, stressing that no criminal or civil liability has been established. Dyer affirmed Combs’ innocence and pledged to continue fighting to clear his name.