Sean Combs' lawyer: Home raids were 'excessive show of force'

Sean Combs' attorney slammed federal investigators' raids on the music mogul's Los Angeles and Miami homes, calling the searches an “excessive show of force” and a “witch hunt” in a statement released Tuesday.

Attorney Aaron Dyer said Combs cooperated fully with Homeland Security agents and local law enforcement and was never arrested during Monday's raids. He added that neither Combs nor any of his family members were detained by officials and that their ability to travel was not restricted. (Combs' grown sons Justin, 30, and King, 25, were seen briefly holding hands while standing outside Combs' Los Angeles mansion.)

“There is no excuse for the excessive display of force and hostility displayed by the authorities or the manner in which the children and staff were treated,” Dyer said in a statement released to the Rolling rock. “This unprecedented ambush – coupled with an advanced, coordinated media presence – is leading to a premature rush to judgment for Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on false accusations made in civil lawsuits . No criminal or civil liability has been established with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every day to clear his name.”

The simultaneous coast-to-coast raids sparked shock Monday, with Homeland Security reportedly executing a warrant issued outside Southern District of New York. Source said previously Rolling rock that four Jane Does and one John Doe had already participated in interviews with SDNY investigators for an investigation related to alleged sex trafficking, domestic violence and extortion. It comes after several people — including Combs' former singer Cassie — filed civil lawsuits against Combs.

While Combs' attorney said his client and none of his family members were arrested, Rolling rock earlier reported that Brendan Paul — who was accused in a recent civil lawsuit as Combs' drug “mule” — was arrested by Miami-Dade police for possession of cocaine and marijuana.

As of Tuesday, authorities had not specifically disclosed the reason behind the raid, whether it was because of the multiple political lawsuits against Combs or if someone else came forward privately with new criminal complaints. Source that spoke to Rolling rock would only confirm that the raids were related to a federal sex-trafficking investigation.

NBC News reported that investigators seized Combs' phones in the Miami raid. However, HSI has yet to release a detailed list of everything it took from the tycoon's homes.

It is not yet clear whether investigators will find evidence that will support the federal charges and in turn allow prosecutors to indict Combs.