A federal grand jury in New York 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.
However, while the proceedings are part of a criminal investigation, there’s no indication the Harlem-born rapper will soon be charged, the sources noted.
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.”
A law enforcement official confirmed to Deadline Wednesday night 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 didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
News of the alleged criminal investigation comes after yet another sex trafficking lawsuit was filed on Wednesday against the Grammy-winning rapper.
Adria English, a former porn star who used Omunique as her stage name, has accused Combs of forcing her to drink alcohol laced with narcotics and have sex with multiple people at his notorious parties, according to documents obtained by TMZ.
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 came forward with similar lawsuits claiming sexual abuse, harassment and drugging.
In March, federal authorities raided Combs’ homes in Miami and Los Angeles as part of what Homeland Security confirmed was a sex trafficking investigation.
