In an escalation of the prison probe towards music legend Sean “Diddy” Combs, federal prosecutors are getting ready grand jury subpoenas for witnesses to testify within the sex-trafficking investigation towards him, in response to a supply aware of the matter.
Investigators have already interviewed a number of witnesses and informed them to be ready to testify, the supply mentioned, although it stays unclear when that testimony will happen or how far federal officers are in figuring out whether or not to deliver fees. The supply spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of the case is ongoing.
Information of the grand jury, which was first reported by CNN, comes two months after investigators raided Combs’ houses in Los Angeles and Miami looking for proof in a sweeping inquiry into sex-trafficking allegations towards the artist.
Combs has not been charged with any crime and has denied any wrongdoing. The probe was launched after three ladies accused him of rape, assault and different abuses courting again three many years. One of many allegations concerned a minor. It’s unclear whether or not these accusations, which Combs denies, are linked to the investigation.
Little is thought in regards to the federal probe, together with the identities of any alleged victims. Folks with information of the investigation who weren’t licensed to talk publicly mentioned federal investigators are looking for telecommunications and flight data associated to Combs. In March, investigators looking out Combs’ Holmby Hills mansion emptied safes, dismantled electronics and left papers strewn in some rooms, sources informed The Instances.
Federal regulation enforcement officers searched Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Holmby Hills mansion on March 25.
(Eric Thayer / Related Press)
The U.S. Division of Homeland Safety handles most sex-trafficking investigations for the federal authorities. Authorized consultants say one purpose the company may very well be concerned on this case is as a result of a few of Combs’ accusers is perhaps from different international locations.
Combs’ attorneys have strongly criticized the federal probe, calling the searches of his houses “militarized” and a “witch hunt.”
Earlier this month, a video emerged exhibiting Combs violently attacking his then-girlfriend, Casandra Ventura, the R&B singer referred to as Cassie, in a Los Angeles resort in 2016.
A picture from safety video exhibits Sean “Diddy” Combs attacking singer Cassie in a Los Angeles resort hallway in March 2016.
(CNN through Related Press)
The video exhibits Combs chasing, kicking, dragging and hurling a glass vase at Ventura. It corroborates elements of a civil lawsuit she filed towards Combs final yr, which was settled a day after it was filed in federal courtroom in New York.
Combs posted a video on Instagram during which he apologized for his conduct within the video.
