The accusers of American rapper, John Sean Combs aka Diddy are reportedly set to appear in front of a federal grand jury over possible criminal charges against him.
Witnesses are said to have been notified by investigators that they could be brought in to testify in front of a federal grand jury in New York City, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the probe.
A spokesperson for the Homeland Security Investigations agency (HSI) declined to comment on the existence of a grand jury, but said the investigation remains ongoing, according to CNN.
Combs has been named in multiple civil lawsuits since November accusing him of sex trafficking, sexual abuse, and rape. He has dismissed all alleged wrongdoing, with his attorneys branding the lawsuits and their accusations as money grabs, “baseless” or “sickening.”
CNN reported that the potential witnesses have not yet been prepped for testimony. HSI investigators are believed to still be in the process of gathering evidence and questioning potential sources to ensure that an indictment, should there be one, is “bulletproof.”
Grand juries are comprised of ordinary citizens and are used by prosecutors for the subpoenaing of documents and witnesses. Grand juries also vote on whether to criminally charge suspects.
The convening of a grand jury would mark a significant escalation in the government’s ongoing investigation into Combs.
A federal investigation was launched into Combs after he was named in eight civil lawsuits since November – seven of which directly accuse him of s3xual assault.
The first lawsuit was filed against him by his former partner, singer and dancer Cassie, who alleged years of abuse.
It was filed under the New York Adult Survivors Act, just before it expired. This act offered a one-year window for adult victims of sexual assault to come forward with civil claims regardless of the statute of limitations.
In the lawsuit, Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura, alleged that she was trafficked, raped and beaten by Combs on many occasions over 10 years.
On May 17, surveillance footage obtained by CNN showed an incident that appeared to corroborate parts of Ms Ventura’s original complaint. The video from March 2016 showed Combs chasing her down the corridor of a Los Angeles hotel and proceeding to punch and kick her outside a set of elevators.
According to the complaint, which cited the altercation as occurring “around March 2016,” Combs became “extremely intoxicated and punched Ms Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye.”
The surveillance footage showed Combs leaving Ms Ventura and then returning and shoving her into a corner. He is then seen hurling an object at her, which was also cited in her complaint.
Two days after the footage was published, Combs released a video apologising for his actions in the video, calling his behaviour “inexcusable” and saying he “takes full responsibility for his actions in the video”.
The lawsuit against Combs was settled for an undisclosed amount of money a day after Ms Ventura filed it.
