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Fox News
12 hours ago
- Fox News
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. "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. "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.]" 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. 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. "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."
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Diddy's 'drug mule' to take the stand after jury is shown disturbing freak-off videos: Live trial updates
Sean ' Diddy ' Combs' alleged drug mule is set to take the stand as the sex-trafficking trial is underway for the sixth week in New York. The disgraced mogul could spend the rest of his life in prison of convicted of using his wealth and fame to coerce women and employees into fulfilling his sexual and violent whims. The trial got a glimpse Monday at some of the 'freak-off' sex marathons at the heart of the case, with prosecutors showing excerpts of explicit videos that the hip-hop mogul recorded during the drug-fueled sessions. The prosecution is expected to rest their case this week, with the testimony of Diddy's alleged drug mule, former assistant Brandon Paul. Diddy, 55, has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces 15 years to life in prison. Diddy's 'drug mule' Brendan Paul to testify after court sees freak-off videos Diddy's former assistant Brendan Paul, 25, is the next witness on the prosecution's list as they prepare to rest their case. Paul accepted a plea deal after he was arrested at Opa-Locka Airport in Miami on March 25, 2024, and was initially hit with two felony drug possession charges. Officials at the time said they had found suspected cocaine and marijuana laced-candy in his luggage. Paul was referred to as Diddy's 'drug mule' in a $30 million lawsuit Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones filed against Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs. The man's testimony is expected after the jury was shown footage from one of Diddy's infamous freak offs. Prosecutors played portions of three sex videos recovered from a Combs-linked account on a cellphone that his former longtime girlfriend Cassie provided to authorities, giving jurors a close-up view of the encounters they've heard about repeatedly since testimony began May 12. A black female juror furrowed her brow and winced Monday while watching the first of three clips of the Freak Offs, which ran from 20 or 30 seconds. Another black female juror moved uncomfortably in her seat and put her head to her head as she watched the footage. Diddy's alleged drug mule Brendan Paul accepts plea deal Diddy's alleged drug mule Brendan Paul has accepted a plea deal and will avoid jail - one month after he was arraigned for a single drugs-based felony charge. All the explosive testimony from inside Diddy courtroom on Daily Mail's podcast The Trial To hear all the explosive testimony from singer Cassie Ventura and the other witnesses in Sean ' Diddy ' Combs' trial, tune in to Daily Mail's hit podcast The Trial. From sworn testimony to video evidence and the rapper's every subtle move, our team of journalists take you inside the courtroom of the world's biggest celebrity case. Daily Mail has been following Diddy's downfall from the very beginning. Join us as we hear from experts involved in the case, and members of the rapper's inside circle. All the explosive testimony from inside Diddy courtroom From sworn testimony to video evidence and the rapper's every subtle move, our team of journalists take you inside the courtroom of the world's biggest celebrity case.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Meek Mill Reveals The 'Craziest' Experience He's Had While At A Diddy Party
Meek Mill is breaking his silence about the 'craziest' experience he says he witnessed at one of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' infamous parties — as the embattled music mogul fights for his freedom at his federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial. Taking to social media, the Philadelphia rapper addressed both the resurfacing of an old lawsuit and his firsthand experiences in Diddy's circle. 'In the mist of Diddy on 'FEDERAL' trial I wanna bring back up 'lil rod' and his lawsuit that was dropped? He never said my name but these blogs amplified that whole agenda against me,' Meek wrote, referencing a lawsuit previously filed by music producer Rodney 'Lil Rod' Jones. 'My culture don't believe it but it's an attack on my brand.. I wanna get to the bottom of it!' In a follow-up post, Meek revealed what he described as the most shocking thing he's ever seen at a Diddy-hosted event. 'Just to put that on public record …. and the craziest thing I seen at a puff party is 'coke vibes' & that's going on at all these parties,' he seemingly argued in Combs' defense. 'I'm from Norf Philly I had millions since I was 23! I don't even wanna be addicted to weed! Not judging but I see it different!' he shared, distancing himself from the rampant drug use he claims to have witnessed. The X post has since been deleted. Meek also took aim at online commentator Luce Cannon and his controversial interview with DJ Akademiks, calling it a clout-chasing stunt. 'And luce cannon with that akademiks interview that was full bait also he's a nobody saying he just walked up and robbed me … I was running into suge knight and big u when I came to la no camera phone vibes! I was showing ni**as out there it's more to life with black success!' he added, defending his street credibility and dismissing recent attempts to tarnish his image. These revelations come as Sean 'Diddy' Combs faces mounting legal troubles. The Hip-Hop mogul is currently under federal investigation and standing trial for sex trafficking, racketeering, and other serious allegations. The case has rocked the entertainment industry, leading to multiple lawsuits accusing the mogul of rape, sexual exploitation, and other crimes. See Meek Mill's comments below. More from Suge Knight Breaks Silence On Diddy's Alleged Gun Confrontation Mentioned In Trial Kid Cudi Testifies Diddy "Was Involved With" Setting His Car On Fire "Like A Marvel Supervillian" Diddy Could Lose $400M Fortune If Feds Seize His Remaining Assets
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy Scores Major Win As Judge Dismisses Five Charges Against Rapper In $30M Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Sean "Diddy" Combs now has fewer charges to face in the $30 million lawsuit filed against him by former associate Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones. In a ruling on Monday, the presiding judge deemed some of the charges, including a RICO claim, legally deficient. He also explained the reason behind his decision and gave a strong reprimand to Lil Rod's lawyer for his underhanded legal tactics. On Monday, Diddy gained another win in his ongoing legal battles since his arrest in September last year. The rapper was sued by a former associate, Rodney' Lil Rod' Jones, who claimed that he was groomed, abused, and exploited by the embattled rapper during the time that they worked together. Some of the charges that Lil Rod brought against Diddy have now been dismissed by Judge J. Paul Oetken of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in a 31-page ruling. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the judge struck out the racketeering accusation along with the breach of contract claim, which referenced Lil Rod's claims that he was stiffed on $50,000 in payment, publishing shares, and royalties for his work on Diddy's "The Love Album: Off the Grid." Three other claims related to infliction of emotional distress were also dismissed alongside another cause of action in the suit related to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. In his ruling, Oetken extensively explained why he did not allow Lil Rod and his lawyers to move forward with the RICO charges. "[Combs'] alleged refusal to honor the contract with Jones is not itself a RICO predicate act, even if the contract breach resulted from Jones's refusal to participate in Combs's alleged racketeering scheme," he wrote. The judge added, "In sum, whether or not Jones has adequately alleged the existence of a RICO enterprise, he has not tied the activities of that enterprise to defendants' breach of contract, or any other' business or property' harm incurred by Jones." Oetken went further to explain why the breach of contract charge was also dismissed, claiming that Diddy and Lil Rod had no written payment agreement that compelled the embattled rapper to pay his former associate dividends and royalties. Following the ruling, Diddy only has to answer for claims of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and premises liability, which were all part of the initial suit. Still, Lil Rod's lawyer, Tyrone A. Blackburn, is unfazed by these dismissals despite the implication that he likely now has a slimmer case against Diddy. In an interview with the outlet after the ruling, he said that he respects the decision and now intends to move forward with legal discovery on the rest of the case, which also named Diddy's chief of staff, Kristina Khorram. "We view this as a win. [The] defendants wanted a total dismissal, and they failed to get it," Blackburn told The Hollywood Reporter. "I know where all of the bodies are buried, and I have a huge shovel. Time to start digging!" Diddy's recent court win comes after prosecutors were also ordered to reveal the name of his accusers in his ongoing federal sex crimes trial. The names the music mogul's attorneys sought were the ones listed in the indictment brought against the music mogul in September 2024. Although it was already clear that Diddy's ex-girlfriend Cassie was one of the accusers, the rest of the names were unknown to the rapper and his attorneys prior to the recent ruling. They were only referred to as Victim 1, Victim 2, and Victim 3, with Cassie being noted as Victim 1, seemingly due to her viral assault video being a key piece of evidence in the upcoming trial. Meanwhile, the names will remain only known to Diddy's lawyers and the prosecutors, as the judge also added an "under an Attorney's Eyes Only designation" caveat. As for Diddy, he remains in detention at a federal facility in New York ahead of his trial in May. During a recent court appearance, Diddy faced allegations from three new victims that he sexually abused them between 2004 to 2024, which he pleaded not guilty to. According to the New York Post, the rapper appeared "bloated" and "old" in his tan prison jumpsuit, sporting gray hair and a gray chinstrap beard. CBS reporter Alice Gainer also noted the rapper's aged appearance, writing on X, "Combs walked into courtroom sporting grey hair and a grey beard..." This development comes as no surprise, as the Bad Boy Records founder has been locked behind bars at the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his September arrest.
