Diddy breaks social media silence as sex-trafficking probe ‘set to widen to cover 1999 shooting’: Updates

Sean “Diddy” Combs has posted on social media for the first time since the raids on his homes in Miami and Los Angeles.

On 25 March, his mansions were raided by federal agents from US Homeland Security in connection to a federal sex trafficking investigation. Diddy described the actions of agents as a “gross overuse of military-level force” and insisted he is innocent of any wrongdoing.

Diddy took to Instagram for the first time since the raids on Sunday, sharing a series of photos of his toddler daughter.

“HAPPY EASTER from Baby Love,” he captioned the post.

The rapper made no mention of the current firestorm.

Combs, who faces a litany of sexual assault allegations, is said to have drawn guests to his infamous parties through his VIP associations with “celebrities such as famous athletes, political figures, artists, musicians and international dignitaries like British Royal, Prince Harry”, according to the legal notice.

The kitchen counters are covered in dust; a crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling, coated in cobwebs. Around the huge rooms, furniture and pieces of decor sit in various states of disrepair.

The Bad Boy Entertainment founder bought the eight-bedroom, 16-bathroom home – which was built in 1987 – for $2.6m (£2m) from HJ Newton in 2003, and has never spoken about why he left it empty for so many years.

Read more from The Independent:

Homes belonging to Sean “Diddy” Combs in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by officials from US Homeland Security on Monday 25 March in connection to a federal sex trafficking investigation.

The music mogul has issued one public statement via lawyers, but has kept a low public profile since the incident.

Here’s what you need to know:

The music producer said Mr Gooding sexually harassed and assaulted him after being “groomed” and then “passed off” by Diddy to the actor.

“Cuba Gooding Jr began touching, groping, and fondling Mr Jones’ legs, his upper inner thighs near his groin, the small of his back near his buttocks, and his shoulders,” the amendment to the lawsuit stated.

The Independent has previously contacted Mr Gooding’s representatives for comment.

Sean “Diddy” Combs has been reportedly spotted several times in south Florida during the Easter weekend, despite a major raid on his exclusive Star Island mansion just days before.

Combs was seen interacting with fans at the Pura Vida restaurant near First Street and Washington Avenue on Friday and riding a bicycle near his property.

Earlier on Friday, he was reportedly spotted at a Top Golf location in Sweetwater.

On Monday his properties in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by officials from US Homeland Security. Combs described the actions of HSI agents as a “gross overuse of military-level force”.

Diddy’s lawyers have hit out at the raids, branding them a “gross overuse of military-level force”. He was not detained and spoke to authorities, and neither he nor any family members were arrested, nor has their travel been restricted, according to his lawyer’s statement.

In the clip, which has been circulating on social media since Monday (25 March), Diddy and Bieber are shown together in a recording studio. It is unclear what the footage was filmed for, but it appears to have been taken around the time the future pop star was recording his 2010 debut album, My World 2.0.

Read more from The Independent’s Roisin O’Connor: