puffy under investagation

[Sir Hambone]

According to The New York Post, hip hop mogul Sean "Puffy" Combs, who recently beat the rap on gun-possession and bribery charges, is the focus of three ongoing investigations that are unknown to the music mogul and could land him in jail, a new report says. Puffy is being investigated by the IRS's New York office for possible criminal tax violations, and by Las Vegas police for alleged gun possession, according to the August issue of Talk magazine. Also, the LAPD wants to find out if Combs withheld information that could help them solve the 1997 murder of his late artist, rapper Notorious B.I.G., a source told the magazine.

The IRS's New York criminal division is probing allegations that Combs has failed to report money to the government, and that he uses business assets - including his Bentleys and his Lincoln Navigator - for personal matters, the magazine says. The IRS did not return a call for comment.

In addition, Las Vegas cops who looked at Combs while investigating the 1996 slaying of rap superstar Tupac Shakur, are reportedly probing whether Combs and his security chief, Paul Offord, ran a nationwide syndicate to supply them with guns while traveling. Vegas police spokesman Tirso Dominguez said he's "not aware of any investigation [into Combs], but that doesn't mean there isn't one."

Meanwhile, the LAPD is checking a new lead that the murder of Notorious B.I.G., a k a Biggie Smalls, occurred because Combs reneged on paying a local street gang for security while he and Smalls were in California, Talk says. Combs would not face any charges in connection with the probe. The LAPD said its investigation into Biggie's murder is ongoing, but declined to comment on whether their probe involves Combs. Combs' lawyer Benjamin Brafman said the hip-hop mogul "is not the subject of any criminal investigations in any jurisdictions."

Combs was acquitted on gun and bribery charges stemming from a 1999 shootout at a Manhattan nightclub. His protégé Jamal "Shyne" Barrow is serving a 10-year sentence in connection with the shooting. A fourth investigation - into the rap kingpin's possible connection to the 1995 Atlanta murder of a Death Row records executive - has been widely reported. Cops believe Combs may have been present during the murder of Jai Hassan-Jamal Robles, 24, outside a hip-hop club. Combs' bodyguard, Anthony "Wolf" Jones, who was also acquitted in the Manhattan gun case, is reportedly the prime suspect in the killing.

Compiled by Michael Harris