Jake Paul finally responded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s raid on his home last week, saying the search was related to a “looting” incident at a shopping mall in Arizona in May. “There are rumors that it has to do with so many other things that have nothing to do with me but my character, and the madness that people make is absolutely absurd,” Paul said in a video that seems to being removed, but was taken prisoner by TMZ.
The FBI raid on the morning of August 5 at Paul’s home in Calabasas, California. The agency later confirmed that it was investigating “allegations of criminal acts” in connection with the incident at the mall. Police in Scottsdale, Arizona, earlier called the incident a “riot” and filed crimes against Paul and others for their alleged involvement.
Paul’s statement did not shed any further light on the investigation, although he emphasized that the agency was only focusing on the events in Arizona. “Just to clarify things and set the record straight, the FBI raid is completely related to the situation of looting in Arizona that happened, and it’s an investigation,” he said. In May, circulating video that appeared to see Paul in a mall where police said “unrest and looting” occurred during protests over the death of George Floyd.
The FBI also raided a second home, owned by Arman Izadi, in connection with the investigation. Izadi is friends with Paul and, according to Scottsdale police, has also filed charges of crimes against him. Paul does not mention Izadi explicitly in his video, but he vaguely refers to cutting out friends “doing evil things.” Izadi had previously filed charges against him in connection with pimping and robbery, was convicted on charges of attempted battery, and pleaded guilty to pandering, according to The Daily Beast.
Paul made no other statements about the investigation. “My goal right now is to continue focusing on myself, boxing, music,” Paul said. The edge has reached out to Paul’s attorney for comment.
