Joe Yates
Rapper Diddy has been arrested in New York based on a sealed indictment, authorities said.
On Monday evening (September 16), the rapper, whose real name is Sean Combs, was cuffed in the lobby of the Park Hyatt hotel, in Manhattan.
The move comes after a grand jury indicted him, although the charges have not been made clear, the Southern District of New York US Attorney's office explained.
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It tweeted: "Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY.
"We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time."
In response to the news, Diddy's attorney Marc Agnifilo told UNILAD: "We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
"Sean “Diddy” Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal.
"To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges.
"These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court."
The rapper has been under public scrutiny ever since his ex-girlfriend - R&B singer Cassie, real name Cassandra Ventura - took him to court accusing him of sexual and physical abuse that she claimed went on for years.
However, the lawsuit was settled in just a day, though the terms of that settlement haven't been made public. At the time, his attorney made clear the settlement was not an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
Several others have since come forward to accuse him of abusive behavior including sexual assault - allegations of which he strongly denies.
Back in March, the 54-year-old was subject to a raid in connection with an investigation being conducted by federal agents.
"Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners," the statement read.
"We will provide further information as it becomes available."
Diddy's attorney provided a statement following the raids at the time, saying: "Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs' residences.
"There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated."
He added: "Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities.
"Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way."