A federal grand jury in New York City is hearing evidence in a criminal investigation involving Sean “Diddy” Combs, according to a new report.
Two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News the disgraced music mogul and his legal team have been notified by authorities in the Southern District of New York that he’s the subject of an ongoing probe.
A law enforcement official confirmed to Deadline that Diddy and his legal team were formally notified of the proceedings last week, but did not give details on what claims the investigation involves.
A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
While the proceedings are part of a criminal investigation, sources say there’s no indication the Harlem-born rapper will soon be charged with any crimes.
The Department of Justice defines “the subject of an investigation” as a person “whose conduct is within the scope of the grand jury’s investigation,” whereas a “target” is defined as a “person as to whom the prosecutor or the grand jury has substantial evidence linking him or her to the commission of a crime.”
News of the alleged criminal investigation comes after yet another sex trafficking lawsuit was filed on Wednesday against the Grammy-winning artist.
Adria English, a former porn star who went by the stage name Omunique, has accused Combs of forcing her to drink alcohol laced with narcotics and have sex with various people at his infamous “white parties,” according to documents obtained by TMZ.
She says the alleged abuse began in 2004 and went on for five years.
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English claims Combs threatened to blackball her from Hollywood if she didn’t comply with his demands — a threat she says he made good on when she finally escaped Diddy’s circle in 2009.
English is the ninth person to file a sex trafficking and/or sexual assault lawsuit against Combs, whose music and media empire has unraveled following a lawsuit from R&B singer Cassie Ventura in November.
Ventura accused Combs of sex trafficking, rape and physical abuse during their years-long relationship, with one alleged incident closely resembling what was later seen in hotel surveillance video of Combs assaulting Ventura in 2016, published by CNN in May.
While the two parties settled the suit in a single day, multiple others have come forward with similar lawsuits claiming sexual abuse, harassment and drugging.
In March, authorities raided Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles as part of what Homeland Security confirmed was a federal sex trafficking probe.
