LOS ANGELES: Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyer said Tuesday that the searches of the rapper's Los Angeles and Miami properties by federal authorities in a sex trafficking investigation were 'a gross use of military-level force' and that Combs is 'innocent and will continue to fight' to clear his name.It's the first public statement from the music mogul's team since Monday's raids of his homes by Homeland Security Investigations agents.
Along with a heavy presence of officers, command trucks were parked outside both properties.Sean 'Diddy' Combs. AP PHOTOThe criminal investigation is a major escalation in the scrutiny of Combs, who has been the defendant in several sexual abuse lawsuits in recent months.In a lawsuit Combs settled the day after it was filed in November, his former protege and girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, sued him alleging years of sexual abuse, including rape.