Citing California’s statute of limitations, Los Angeles officials already announced which they cannot keep Comb Sean must be held responsible for his current notoriety—and admit—2016 attacked his girlfriend at that time Cassie Ventura. But the ongoing federal sex trafficking case against the fallen icon is another matter. According to sources close to the U.S. Department of Justice investigation, that video could be added to the evidence federal prosecutors are currently gathering, and a new wave of people accusing Combs of crimes could will have to go to court.
Sexual assault and trafficking allegations against Sean Combs first came to attention last November when Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against Comb. Her statement included details about a physical assault on March 5, 2016 at the now-closed InterContinental hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. In his filing, Ventura said Combs paid $50,000 for security footage of the incident.
Combs denies that the attack took place as do other claims made in the lawsuit, but deal with Ventura days after she submitted her application. Then another women come forward, saying they were also assaulted by Combs. He also denied their accusations, saying: “I sat silently and watched people attempt to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and legacy. Disgusting allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the terrible things alleged.”
When CNN released hotel camera footage depicting the attack on Ventura, Combs retracted that denial, saying, “I fucked up — I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses. My behavior regarding that video was inexcusable.”
“I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” he said. A few days later, more allegations surfaced, when another woman filed a sexual assault lawsuit—the eighth time in the past six months— alleges “four horrific sexual encounters” in the 1990s and 2000s.
A sex trafficking investigation focusing on Combs became public in March, as the New York Department of Homeland Security Investigations confirmed. it was a raid on Combs’ Miami and Los Angeles mansions as “part of an ongoing investigation.”
Since then, the agency has declined to provide updates on the case, saying only: “We will provide more information as it becomes available.” But according to sources spoke to CNNAs these long-standing claims are making their way through civil court, federal investigators are watching.
“Two sources familiar with the investigation” said that a federal grand jury will soon be convened in New York to hear testimony from some of the accusers and that investigators are poring over the cases for information. information that could strengthen their case.
In addition to the civil lawsuit charges, investigators are said to be examining video recorded inside the tycoon’s home. It’s unclear whether the footage in question was discovered during the raid or provided by witnesses, a source said, but in either case, the feds are “contacting people who they found it on tape.”
The final shape of the case is also unclear, as CNN reports that the investigation could extend beyond the sex trafficking allegations we are now familiar with. Also under review are “allegations of money laundering and illegal drugs,” the agency announced.
a March lawsuit against Combs by former employee Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones alleges that Combs drugged attendees of an album listening party with spiked bottles of “DeLeon Tequila and Ciroc Vodka,” but those confirmation elements in the upcoming case are unknown. But according to sources, the federal case against Combs is “far bigger than just these lawsuits.”
