Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces numerous lawsuits and a federal investigation
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' ex-girlfriend breaks silence on hotel surveillance video amid new lawsuit
Fox News’ CB Cotton reports on Cassie Ventura's response to the 2016 assault video as model Crystal McKinney files a lawsuit claiming the rapper sexually assaulted her in 2003.
Federal investigators have obtained video from inside the mansions of embattled hip-hop billionaire Sean "Diddy" Combs and are tracking down and interviewing potential witnesses identified from the footage — including a male sex worker who claims to be a victim, according to a new report.
It was not immediately clear if the video was taken by Combs' own security cameras or by someone inside, and the images were not immediately made public.
The revelation came from a CNN source who told the outlet that Combs' accusers could soon testify before a federal grand jury. In a typical grand jury investigation, jurors would be shown evidence and witness testimony before prosecutors ask them to approve a criminal indictment.
SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTS EX-GIRLFRIEND CASSIE VENTURA IN NEWLY RELEASED HOTEL VIDEO
Sean "Diddy" Combs sits outside of his Star Island home with his mother, Janice Combs, in Miami Beach, Florida on Sunday, April 7, 2024. The hip-hop magnate's South Florida home was raided by Homeland Security and local law enforcement last month as part of a federal investigation. (Zak Bennett for Fox News Digital)
It's also unclear whether the subjects are A-listers, some of Combs' other wealthy friends or lesser-known figures. A series of civil lawsuits accusing the mogul filed over the last six months have claimed that a mix of entertainers and music executives attended Combs' parties, where some alleged assaults took place.
The outlet reported that federal investigators have also interviewed multiple accusers.
Spokespersons for Combs did not immediately respond to multiple requests for comment.
Combs found fame in the early 1990s as a producer for the late Notorious B.I.G. and Lil Kim. (Getty Images)
The Bad Boy Entertainment founder at first denied all accusations of wrongdoing — then posted a teary apology video after the leak of another video showed Combs assaulting his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway.
Combs' accusers are obvious likely witnesses for federal investigators. And in their lawsuits, they've identified other people who authorities will likely question.
"If the grand jury is gonna hear from these people, yea, he's getting indicted," said Derrick Parker, a former member of the NYPD's hip-hop intelligence unit who took part in the 1999 investigation into a nightclub shooting in which Combs was acquitted but his protégé Shyne went to prison for a decade.
Sean "Diddy" Combs pictured in stills taken from an Instagram video in which he reacted to viral video of him allegedly beating his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in hotel footage from 2016. (Sean Combs/Instagram)
"He's already preparing for this anyway," Parker said. "His attorneys are already preparing."
Parker previously told Fox News Digital that there could be an indictment before July 4, after the Ventura assault video emerged. Now it may come sooner, he said, predicting an arraignment and bail decision before the first day of summer.
But as accusations continue to emerge — two new lawsuits were filed against Combs this month — he says investigators have more and more witnesses to interview.
WATCH: MISA HYLTON SHARES SECURITY VIDEO OF DIDDY RAID
"A lot of people are saying a lot of things, and they think they can't get subpoenaed," he said. "If you put information like that out, on Instagram or social platforms, and you were there, the governments gonna want to know about that."
Ventura sued Combs in November, and they settled out of court a day later. At least a half dozen accusers have come forward with civil lawsuits alleging sexual and physical abuse, some of them lobbing accusations of sex trafficking. And federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations raided two of Combs' mansions in March.
Both the Justice Department and HSI have declined to discuss specifics of the pending investigation.
Sean "Diddy" Combs and Cassie Ventura attend "The Perfect Match" film premiere, Los Angeles, CA, March 7, 2016. (Matt Baron/Shutterstock)
Combs' ex, Misa Hylton, shared home surveillance video after the raids, claiming that the son she shares with the mogul was unjustly manhandled by officers who arrived in an armored vehicle and tactical gear.
Her video gives a glimpse of what appears to be an extensive home camera system, with views inside and outside of the mansion.
His accusers have also included snapshots and cellphone images that they took themselves while attending Combs' parties in New York City and aboard yachts.
SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS' LUXURY YACHT DRAWS COMPARISONS TO EPSTEIN ISLAND AMID FEDERAL PROBE
Stevie J and a guest are seen walking outside of rapper Diddy’s home in Miami, Florida on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. The hip-hop magnate's South Florida home was raided by Homeland Security Investigations and local law enforcement last month as part of a federal investigation. (Mega for Fox News Digital)
In addition to the accusers coming forward with civil lawsuits, authorities in Miami arrested a Combs associate named Brendan Paul on drug charges.
Parker said he suspects that the feds are working toward racketeering charges.
RAPPER SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS' HOMES RAIDED BY HOMELAND SECURITY
Parker, who wrote the book "Notorious C.O.P." about his experience in the NYPD's hip-hop unit, warned in April that evidence in Ventura's case would be subpoenaed by the Justice Department, overriding any potential nondisclosure agreement reached in the settlement.
Sean Combs' LA home was raided by Homeland Security officials in March. (FOX 11)
He'd also predicted that they'd closely look through videos and photos from Combs' parties to identify witnesses and see if they could corroborate his accusers' claims.
Authorities have not announced any criminal charges against Combs.
