Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' alleged 'drug mule' Brendan Paul set to testify
Diddy trial updates: Sean Combs' alleged 'drug mule' Brendan Paul set to testify
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Former Diddy assistant gets immunity, expected to testify
Brendan Paul, one of Sean "Diddy" Combs' former assistants, is expected to testify about obtaining drugs for the hip-hop mogul and his entourage.
This story contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find disturbing.
Another member of Sean "Diddy" Combs' alleged criminal enterprise will take the stand in his sex-trafficking trial.
Combs' former assistant Brendan Paul is set to testify against his ex-boss as the sweeping federal case resumes in Manhattan court on June 18. The 26-year-old former Syracuse University basketball player previously faced felony charges for drug possession when he was arrested on the same day as the raids of Combs' homes, but the case was later closed.
Paul's scheduled testimony comes after prosecutors probed Combs' alleged sex-trafficking enterprise with the help of unearthed personal messages, videos and other evidence. Jurors were shown roughly 20 minutes of what appeared to be video footage created between 2012 and 2014 of Combs' "freak offs," a series of elaborate sexual performances he's been accused of orchestrating.
U.S. attorneys plan on calling two to three more witnesses, including Paul, before resting their case on June 20. The trial will have a brief recess on June 19 in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
Discover WITNESS: Access our exclusive collection of true crime stories, podcasts, videos and more
Combs, 55, was arrested in September and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.
Combs is facing federal sex-crimes and trafficking charges in a sprawling case that has eroded his status as a power player and kingmaker in the entertainment industry.
He was arrested in September 2024 and later charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to the five counts against him.
Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as music mogul faces sex-crimes charges.
Racketeering is the participation in an illegal scheme under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Statute, or RICO, as a way for the U.S. government to prosecute organizations that contribute to criminal activity.
Using RICO law, which is typically aimed at targeting multi-person criminal organizations, prosecutors allege that Combs coerced victims, some of whom they say were sex workers, through intimidation and narcotics to participate in "freak offs" — sometimes dayslong sex performances that federal prosecutors allege they have video of.
The trial will not be televised, as cameras are typically not allowed in federal criminal trial proceedings.
USA TODAY will be reporting live from the courtroom. Sign up for our newsletter for more updates.
Contributing: USA TODAY staff
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, RAINN offers support through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
28 minutes ago
- USA Today
Kroger Juneteenth cakes go TikTok viral for lack of creativity: 'This is a mockery!'
Kroger Juneteenth cakes go TikTok viral for lack of creativity: 'This is a mockery!' 'Why even bother if you're going to lack creativity,' the TikTok creator wrote. Show Caption Hide Caption Beyoncé fans celebrate Juneteenth in Paris Beyoncé fans are celebrating Juneteenth during the Paris stop of the Cowboy Carter tour. Kroger is facing backlash on TikTok after a video of lackluster Juneteenth cakes for sale at one of the grocery store's locations went viral. The video, which was recorded at a store in Atlanta, Georgia, showed several cakes minimally decorated in honor of the federal holiday on June 19, which marks the 1865 emancipation of the last enslaved people in the United States. "This is a mockery!" the creator, @ wrote in the caption of the June 18 video, which has been viewed more than ten million times as of June 20. They added, "Why even bother if you're going to lack creativity?" The following day, the creator said the cakes were no longer available for purchase. USA TODAY has reached out to Kroger for comment. Video shows lackluster Kroger Juneteenth cakes: 'Free @ last' The Atlanta grocery store had several cakes for sale with plain designs, including lettering that said "Free @ last," "June 19 free," and one that simply said, "Free." "This is some bulls---," the creator said in the video. "Who the hell made this ugly a-- s---?" The user said there were no managers around at the time, but they planned to return to the store the following day to speak to one. "Y'all decorate everything else around here cute," the creator said. "Everything else around here cute, but for Juneteenth you wanna just throw something on a freaking cookie cake and expect someone to buy it? That's bulls---" Social media reacts to Kroger's Juneteenth cakes: 'I'm highly disappointed' Users took to the comments to agree with the creator about the uninspiring cake decorations. "This is funny but NOT funny," one person said. "I'm highly disappointed in Kroger." Another said the store should "fire the whole bakery cuz that's deliberate." "If you didn't bring up juneteenth I would've thought it was a welcome home from jail cake," one user wrote. Others compared it to past years of retailers missing the mark on the holiday, like Walmart's 2022 Juneteenth ice cream that was pulled from stores. TikToker says Kroger Juneteenth cakes are no longer available The day after posting the original video, @ shared another TikTok in which they said the cakes were no longer available at the store. "TikTok, y'all did it," they said. It's unclear whether Kroger removed the products, or if they were purchased. "I still feel some type of way that they didn't replace it with better Juneteenth cakes," the user said in the video. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
Washington Post
30 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Diddy trial updates: Ex-assistant Brendan Paul set to testify in Sean Combs's case
Prosecutors plan to call one of their final witnesses in Sean 'Diddy' Combs's federal racketeering and sex trafficking trial on Friday: a former assistant to the music producer who has been granted immunity for testimony that could shed light on the operations of Combs's inner circle. For more than a month, the jury has been hearing from Combs's former employees and ex-girlfriends, as well as federal agents and other witnesses for the prosecution. The government argues the Bad Boy Records founder used his wealth, companies and vast influence in the music and media industries, as well blackmail, threats and violence, to force or coerce women into days-long sex performances with other men while he filmed and masturbated. Prosecutors have also argued that Combs and a small group of trusted employees committed and covered up a range of other crimes, including arson, kidnapping and narcotics distribution.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
How to watch 'The Waterfront,' new series from 'Dawson's Creek' creator
How to watch 'The Waterfront,' new series from 'Dawson's Creek' creator Show Caption Hide Caption Need a show to binge? These are the must watch shows this summer USA TODAY's TV critic Kelly Lawler breaks down the best TV shows you don't to want to miss this summer Move over, "Outer Banks": a new North Carolina-based drama series just hit Netflix. "The Waterfront" follows a prominent fishing family in coastal North Carolina whose legacy is at risk, according to the show's description. According to Netflix, the show's first season, which premiered on June 19, is "as much about family dynamics as they are about the lengths people will go to when their legacy is on the line." Kevin Williamson, the creator of hit shows like "Dawson's Creek" and "The Vampire Diaries," is the writer and executive producer of the show. It also features a star-studded cast, including Holt McCallany, who is known for "Mindhunter," and Melissa Benoist, the former star of "Supergirl." Here's what to know about "The Waterfront" Season 1. What is 'The Waterfront' about? The show follows the Buckley family of Havenport, North Carolina. They have long dominated the town's fishing industry and restaurant scene, but the family's empire has started to crumble after patriarch Harlan Buckley suffered from two heart attacks, Netflix says. His wife, Belle, and son, Cane, are working to keep the family businesses afloat while daughter Bree faces her own struggles in addiction recovery, per Netflix. Williamson told Netflix's Tudum the series is about trying to find the 'lesser evil' in a difficult situation. 'It's just about a bunch of people who make mistakes. They do some bad things and then they get in deeper and deeper and deeper,' he said. 'Sometimes they keep making worse mistakes and sometimes they find their way out and do the good thing.' When does 'The Waterfront' come out? "The Waterfront" Season 1 released on June 19 at 3 a.m. ET. All eight episodes of the show hit Netflix at that time. How to watch 'The Waterfront' Only Netflix subscribers will have access to watch "The Waterfront." The service has several monthly plans available, which start at $7.99 per month. The platform doesn't offer free trials. The show's entire first season will be available to stream on the platform starting on June 19 at 3 a.m. ET. 'The Waterfront' trailer 'The Waterfront' cast TV fans may see some familiar faces on "The Waterfront." Here's who's on the cast: Holt McCallany as Harlan Buckley Maria Bello as Belle Buckley Jake Weary as Cane Buckley Melissa Benoist as Bree Buckley Rafael L. Silva as Shawn West Humberly González as Jenna Tate Danielle Campbell as Peyton Buckley Brady Hepner as Diller Hopkins Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
