The legal troubles surrounding Sean “Diddy” Combs, CEO of Bad Boy Entertainment, have escalated as federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York ramp up their investigation into serious allegations against him.

The intensification comes after a US$30-million civil lawsuit filed earlier this year by former Bad Boy music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones.

Jones’ lawsuit, which has garnered significant media attention, accuses Combs of involvement in a trafficking ring, with startling claims that Daphne Joy — an ex-girlfriend of rapper 50 Cent and the mother of his child — was entangled in these alleged activities. The lawsuit hopes for a substantial monetary settlement and aims to shed light on what Jones describes as a deeply troubling criminal enterprise.

In response to these accusations, federal authorities have begun to examine the case with heightened scrutiny. Sources close to the investigation have revealed that the Southern District of New York is pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to determine the validity of the claims and to uncover any possible connections between Combs, Joy, and the alleged trafficking operations.

A luxury Miami hotel has been subpoenaed by federal authorities for records related to Diddy, Daphne Joy, and other associates of the hip-hop mogul. The subpoena covers the period from January 1, 2008, to the present and requests various records, such as reservation details, check-in and check-out dates, room numbers, guest preferences, requests, and billing information.

Federal prosecutors are reportedly gathering evidence and conducting interviews to build a comprehensive picture of the allegations.

Combs, who has maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, has yet to publicly comment on the latest developments. However, his legal team has vehemently denied the allegations, characterising the lawsuit as baseless and part of a broader attempt to damage his reputation.