Sean Combs is The Subject of a Federal Criminal Investigation

Sean Combs’ legal team was informed last week by federal authorities in the Southern District of New York that he is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation, according to two sources familiar with Combs’ legal situation.

These sources also confirmed that a federal grand jury is currently reviewing evidence as part of the investigation, but there are no indications that charges are imminent.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment, and Combs’ lawyers did not respond to a request for comment.

According to legal experts, the subject of an investigation is someone within the scope of a criminal inquiry. An individual becomes a target when prosecutors likely intend to seek an indictment from the grand jury against that person.

A person’s status can change during an investigation. Combs has not received a target letter, the sources said, and the Southern District of New York is not required to send one.

This development comes three months after law enforcement officials raided Combs’ homes in Los Angeles and Miami.

In May, Combs apologized after a video obtained by CNN showed him assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at a Los Angeles hotel in 2016. In a video apology posted on Instagram, Combs admitted to the incident and took “full responsibility.”

“It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” Combs said. “I was messed up — I mean, I hit rock bottom — but I make no excuses.”

Combs initially denied Ventura’s allegations of assault and sex trafficking described in a federal lawsuit filed in November. They settled for an undisclosed amount the following day.

At the time of Combs’ admission, Ventura’s attorney, Meredith Firetog, stated, “When Cassie and multiple other women came forward, he denied everything and suggested that his victims were looking for a payday.”

Firetog added, “He was only compelled to ‘apologize’ once his repeated denials were proven false, showing his pathetic desperation.”

Ventura’s attorneys did not respond to questions about her participation in any grand jury proceedings.

Meanwhile, Combs faces various allegations in multiple civil lawsuits. The latest, filed on Wednesday, accuses him of sex trafficking by a former adult film star.

Combs has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime. His attorney, Jonathan Davis, dismissed the latest lawsuit.

“No matter how many lawsuits are filed, it won’t change the fact that Mr. Combs has never sexually assaulted or sex trafficked anyone,” Davis said. “We live in a world where anyone can file a lawsuit for any reason and without any proof. Fortunately, a fair and impartial judicial process exists to find the truth, and Mr. Combs is confident he will prevail against these and other baseless claims in court.”