Diddy's alleged 'drug mule' takes the stand with immunity deal; trial reveals dark secrets
Jurors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal trial will hear from a close ally of the rapper when former Syracuse basketball player Brendan Paul takes the stand Friday.
Paul became embroiled in Diddy's legal drama in April 2024, after he was named in a lawsuit filed by Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones against the disgraced mogul. The music producer claimed Paul worked as a "mule" for Combs, procuring and distributing "drugs and guns." The former college basketball star was then charged with felony cocaine possession, which was later dropped.
Paul was given immunity in exchange for his testimony in Diddy's federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial.
Nicole Blank Becker explained that Paul may be a crucial witness to the government as it attempts to tie up loose ends and wrap its case against Diddy.
Diddy's Sex Trafficking, Racketeering Trial Forced Into Delay Due To Juror Issue
"In this particular case, why [Brendan Paul] may be important is because he is allegedly one of the individuals who supplied the drugs," Becker told Fox News Digital. "The distribution of drugs, giving other people drugs to make them intoxicated and possibly do more than they would do had they not been intoxicated – that's a predicate felony.
Read On The Fox News App
"In other words, in order to prove this particular charge of racketeering, there's got to be a number of other felonies that they can connect," the attorney said. "Whether it's the coercion of women and/or they indicated about how ... [Diddy] brought [escorts] in. That's one way to prove a predicate. You have to prove two of them. So, another way to prove a predicate felony is bring in the guy who supposedly is the one who was supplying P. Diddy and or his people with what [the government is] gonna say, the drugs that he used [on others.]"
Diddy's Defense Team Signals Shift In Trial Strategy As Prosecutors Wrap Up: Expert
Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy (RICO); sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution in a federal indictment unsealed Sept. 17.
Throughout two weeks of testimony, jurors heard allegations of "freak off" parties involving male escorts and Diddy's ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. The "Me & U" singer testified that drugs, including ecstasy, ketamine and cocaine, were in regular circulation during the "freak offs" for her to disassociate during the sessions.
Cassie admitted ecstasy made her feel euphoric and aroused, while ketamine would make her dissociative. She said cocaine made her heart race, mushrooms made her see things and GHB, also known as the date rape drug, made her feel drunk.
Another ex, who testified under the pseudonym "Jane," told prosecutors there were times she felt coerced into hotel nights with Diddy and that the Bad Boy Records founder still pays for both her legal fees and rent.
Jane recalled alleged instances of abuse while dating Diddy on and off for three years and up until the week before he was arrested in New York City on federal charges. Jane told the court Diddy asked her about coercion after he allegedly forced her to take drugs before having sex with a male escort. She testified about Diddy's alleged violent behavior and said he once put her in a chokehold after kicking and punching her.
Like What You're Reading? Click Here For More Entertainment News
Diddy's criminal defense lawyer, Teny Geragos, questioned Jane about her relationship with the rapper and her participation in the allegedly forced "hotel nights."
Diddy paid Jane's rent through their "love contract," according to her testimony. The ex-girlfriend told the prosecution she felt obligated to perform at "hotel nights" for the rapper because he had threatened to stop paying for her home. For "hotel nights," Jane claimed she was expected to dress in lingerie and have sex with other men in front of the rapper.
Audio released in Diddy's sex trafficking and racketeering trial featured the rapper calling Jane a "crack pipe." Jane claimed she was forced to continue having sex with multiple male escorts after becoming sick.
Becker, who works as R. Kelly's defense attorney, explained why the government might offer immunity to witnesses the government wants to testify. In Diddy's sex trafficking case, Paul was the fifth witness granted immunity.
Click Here To Get The Entertainment Newsletter
"It is very common, especially in federal cases, that immunity is given to witnesses if they have the information or the insight that they need for their case," Becker said. "Oftentimes, those individuals who are given immunity, although they may have crimes that they are either facing or faced, they're usually a lot less in the hierarchy of crimes.
"They're usually lower crimes in which the government says, 'You know what, this information that this particular person has is so important that we are willing to forego whatever you've got going on in the criminal section or division now here so that we can have you testify in this bigger case.'
WATCH: SEAN 'DIDDY' COMBS ASSAULTS CASSIE VENTURA IN 2016 HOTEL INCIDENT
"Their goal, i.e. the government, is to get in as much possible information from anybody who knows anything."
Nearly six weeks after the trial began, prosecutors indicated they'd rest their case by Friday. The rapper's legal team recently told Judge Arun Subramanian it will need between two and five days to present its case, a stark contrast to its initial request of up to two weeks with witnesses on the stand.
Becker noted there were a lot of questions whether the government was "actually proving anything specific" to the charges Diddy faced.
WATCH: LEGAL EXPERT DISCUSSES DIFFICULTIES WITH DIDDY TRIAL
"Yes, there was domestic violence. Yes, there was some … relationships and physical violence happening, but does that rise to the level of what he's actually charged with in the federal court?" Becker said. "I think at the beginning there were question marks everywhere. However, I think as time goes on, what does the government do?
"They just throw up witness after witness. Although those individual witnesses have their own story, together they form what they are trying to form, which is this step beneath P. Diddy, who's up here. And these individuals, each individual person has a role in what they're calling the enterprise."
Becker said this was the connection the government was attempting to prove to the 12 jurors.
"In a vacuum, if we just had the first witness or we just had Jane, who just testified, people, I think, would be a little confused, like, 'Wait a minute.' Maybe call him a bad boyfriend, a bad person, a bad husband for sure, based on what we see, for example, in the video," Becker said. "But does that rise to the level that the government needs to get to in order for an ultimate verdict of guilty?
"I think, like I said, at the beginning, it was a little shaky. However, as time goes on, they are able to put in their different witnesses and really shape what they're trying to shape, which is to basically, you know, this charge of RICO in the United States. This has not, it was not initially made for purposes of the way it's being used now."Original article source: Diddy's alleged 'drug mule' takes the stand with immunity deal; trial reveals dark secrets
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
24 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Trump calls for special prosecutor to investigate 2020 election, reviving longstanding grievance
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday called for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden, repeating his baseless claim that the contest was marred by widespread fraud. 'Biden was grossly incompetent, and the 2020 election was a total FRAUD!' Trump said in a social media post in which he also sought to favorably contrast his immigration enforcement approach with that of the former president. 'The evidence is MASSIVE and OVERWHELMING. A Special Prosecutor must be appointed. This cannot be allowed to happen again in the United States of America! Let the work begin!'
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
BBC Content Supremo Latest: Banijay UK Boss Patrick Holland Out, Kate Phillips Person To Beat
EXCLUSIVE: We have more on the race to replace Charlotte Moore as the BBC's content supremo. After revealing earlier this month that there were three top contenders for the most powerful creative job in British television, audio, and streaming, Deadline hears one of the trio is now not in the running. More from Deadline BBC Unveils 10-Strong Comedy Slate Featuring Diane Morgan, Michael Palin, Mackenzie Crook, Lenny Rush, Rob Brydon, & Guz Khan BBC's Annual Julia Donaldson Christmas Animation Will Be 'The Scarecrows' Wedding'; Rob Brydon, Jessie Buckley & Domhnall Glesson In Voice Cast BBC Drama 'Mr Loverman' Lands U.S. Home At BritBox Industry sources and BBC insiders said Patrick Holland, Banijay UK's executive chairman, is staying put at the French production giant. Holland was considered to be the leading external candidate, even though he told colleagues that he was happy to remain at Banijay UK, where he has been since 2022. BBC sources speculated that salary has been a decisive factor for some external candidates, as the corporation struggles to compete with deep-pocketed commercial counterparts. Moore is paid £468,000 ($628,000). The Holland development, as well Netflix UK chief Anne Mensah ruling herself out, has cemented Kate Phillips' position as the candidate to beat. Phillips, the BBC's unscripted boss and interim chief content officer, has the support of many colleagues at the corporation, while a number of powerful producers are pulling for her to get the job. Sources said Phillips is skillfully caretaking in the content chief role as Moore prepares to leave the BBC's New Broadcasting House headquarters next week. BBC Studios Productions CEO Zai Bennett was thought to be the third strong contender for the job. Others linked include Tom McDonald, the New York-based executive vice president of Nat Geo, and Dan McGolpin, the director of iPlayer and channels. Others have ruled themselves out. This includes Jay Hunt, Apple TV+'s boss in Europe, and Channel 4's content supremo Ian Katz. Sources said Apple executive Alison Kirkham was considered, but is said to be happy in her current role. Liam Keelan, Disney's former EMEA originals chief, is not in the running. Headhunters Grace Blue and Ibison have helped steer the BBC recruitment process, with director general Tim Davie taking a personal interest. Moore is stepping down as chief content officer after four years to join Left Bank Pictures as CEO. She will also oversee international creative output for Sony Pictures Television. Best of Deadline Every 'The Voice' Winner Since Season 1, Including 9 Team Blake Champions Everything We Know About 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' So Far 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
CBS News
31 minutes ago
- CBS News
Man charged in killing of Maryland business owner also accused of vandalizing school
One of two suspects charged in the murder of a Maryland business owner is also being accused of vandalizing a school, according to charging documents. Jonah Michael Poole, 18, who is also facing murder, assault, and arson charges in relation to the murder of Edward Stephen Koza in early June, has also been charged with hate crime, vandalism, and harassment charges. On May 15, Anne Arundel County police responded to the Summit School in Edgewater for a report of vandalism and a hate crime that occurred. Police spoke with Director Dr. Joan McCarthy when they arrived. A swastika and derogatory phrases about sexual orientation had been spray-painted on the exterior of the gym building, as well as the main school building, police said. Video surveillance provided to officers showed a white male dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt with a tan shirt wrapped around his head arrive on the scene around 1:00 a.m. that morning before spray-painting buildings. Murder of Anne Arundel County business owner Human remains of Koza, who owned the Tropic Bay Aquatic Garden Center in Davidsonville, were found in a burned vehicle in a parking lot on May 24. Around 9:25 p.m., officers responded to a fully engulfed vehicle fire in the parking lot of a business in the 600 block of West Central Avenue in Davidsonville. The vehicle was extinguished before the remains were found, according to police. Poole, along with 18-year-old Kyle Dakes, was taken into custody at a Harwood home on May 31. Officers said a crime scene inside the garden center was discovered, which indicated signs of a struggle. Police allege Poole and Dakes assaulted Koza, put him in his truck, and drove the truck to a gas station to buy gas as a fire accelerant. They then allegedly returned the truck to the store and lit it on fire before fleeing the scene, police said. Koza was found with his arms, hands, and mouth taped. Poole worked for Koza at the Tropic Bay Aquatic Garden Center briefly in 2024, police confirmed. Poole charged in burglary of restaurant Days before the murder, on May 18, police said Poole allegedly broke into Pirates Cove restaurant in Galesville, caused about $6,000 in damage, and stole more than $11,000 from the safe. Police said Dakes' was working at the restaurant until May 13. Koza's home was also burglarized just a day before the restaurant break in, according to police. Police said Poole and Dakes both attended Southern High School. Both Poole and Dakes are facing first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, conspiracy to commit first and second-degree murder, and arson.
