Brendan Paul, a former assistant to Sean “Diddy” Combs, testified that he helped Combs prepare for his drug-fueled sex marathons but denied being a so-called “drug mule.”
Paul, who was initially hired to assist Combs with his workouts, testified that he sometimes bought drugs for Combs but denied that description, saying it was a small part of his job.
The former assistant said working for Combs required long hours and intense dedication.
On Friday, jurors also heard from prosecutors’ final witness, a special agent in Homeland Security investigations, and viewed text messages between Combs and his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.
Lawyers for the government and Combs are expected to rest mid-next week. Jurors could begin deliberations as soon as Wednesday.
Combs is facing charges of sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. Federal authorities have accused him of threatening, abusing, and coercing victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024.
Key Points
- Working for Combs was demanding, Paul describes
- Paul describes preparing for Combs’ ‘Wild King’ nights
- Next witness: Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations
- Diddy unlikely to testify as defense signals short case
- Paul rejects ‘drug mule’ job description
What you missed from Friday's proceedings
18:38 , Ariana BaioOn Friday, jurors heard from Brendan Paul, a former assistant to Combs, and Joseph Cerciello, a special agent in Homeland Security investigations.
Paul testified that working for Combs required long hours and extreme dedication. He said one of the ways he proved loyalty was by, occasionally, purchasing drugs for Combs to use during his sex marathons. Paul denied being a “drug mule” and said that purchasing Combs’ drugs was a small part of his job.
Special Agent Cerciello reviewed a chart created by prosecutors that showed messages, travel documents, hotel bills and more.
Jurors are expected to hear more from Cerciello on Monday.
Prosecutors said they will rest once Cerciello’s testimony is over. Defense attorneys will then present their side of the case.
Jurors could begin deliberations as soon as next Wednesday.
Jurors dismissed
18:08 , Ariana BaioJudge Subramanian has dismissed jurors for the day – Friday was expected to be a shorter day in court.
Prosecutors aren’t quite done with Joseph Cerciello, the special agent with Homeland Security Investigations. They expect to continue testimony on Monday with time for cross-examination.
Attorney for Brendan Paul says he 'was never a drug mule'
18:00 , Ariana BaioBrian Bieber, an attorney representing Brendan Paul, issued a statement after Paul left the stand, emphasizing that his client is not and never was a “drug mule.”
“He was subpoenaed to come to court and tell the truth, which he did — word for word,” Bieber said. “Now that Brendan has finally had the opportunity to tell the full story about his employment, we are hopeful that the last 15 months of defamatory statements about him will cease.”
Hotel charged Combs with $6,000 damage fee
17:52 , Ariana BaioWhile reviewing charts and documents, Cerciello testified that Combs incurred a $6,000 hotel damage fee after using a room for a freak off in 2021.
Another hotel record from 2023, showed a $3,000 fee was for “damaged furniture” and “bodily fluids” that stained the floors.
Special agent corroborating charts
17:15 , Ariana BaioSpecial Agent Cerciello is now corroborating documents acquired during the government’s investigation, including charts that show travel times and locations.
Cerciello is confirming that the chart containing information about Jane and Combs’ travels lines up with the piece of evidence.
Next witness: Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations
16:50 , Ariana BaioSpecial Agent Joseph Cerciello of Homeland Security Investigations is the government’s next, and potentially final, witness.
Jury returns from break, prosecutors show text messages
16:46 , Ariana BaioA brief morning break, the jury is back in the courtroom and seeing text messages between Cassie Ventura and Combs that prosecutors are submitting into evidence.
In a thread of the message exchanged in 2017, Ventura tells Combs she’s “scared” of his “rage” and says she does not deserve to be physically abused.
Combs texted Ventura that she was “unappreciative” of an experience and said other women would have been grateful.
From inside the courthouse: Paul's testimony
16:29 , Kelly RissmanBrendan Paul wore a blue suit. He talked quickly and mumbled.
When he was asked what he thought of Combs, he said, “it’s complicated.”
Combs gave Steel, his defense attorney, a thumbs up after his cross-examination. We heard a lot of the same info regarding setting up and cleaning up hotel rooms.
The government’s evidence indicates KK, the former chief of staff, was extremely involved. In one text, Paul asked for reimbursement for drug purchases, and he typed “kk is aware and wanted me to make this thread.”
'Complicated' Paul says of his feelings toward Combs
16:06 , Ariana BaioDuring a brief re-direct with prosecutors, Paul said his feelings toward Combs are “complicated.”
That was after defense attorneys had Paul testify that his experience working for the music mogul was mostly good.
Paul is now off the stand.
Combs' former assistant says working for Combs was a 'good experience' for the most part
15:47 , Ariana BaioPaul, a former assistant to Combs, testified that working for the music mogul was mostly a good experience.
Steel questioned Paul’s time with Combs, asking if he was “indebted” to Combs or if it was a good experience for the most part.
Paul agreed.
Paul rejects ‘drug mule’ job description
15:32 , Ariana BaioWhen asked by the defense if he was a “drug mule,” Paul rejected that, saying, “absolutely not.”
Paul said he did handle small amounts of drugs, but that he had other duties
Defense begins cross-examination
15:19 , Ariana BaioDefense Attorney Brian Steel is now performing the cross-examination of Brendan Paul, a former assistant to Combs.
Paul describes preparing for Combs’ ‘Wild King’ nights
15:12 , Ariana BaioProsecutors are asking Paul about purchasing and providing drugs for Combs and others during what he calls “Wild King nights.” These were times when Combs and his romantic partners would go to hotels to do drugs and have sex.
Paul testified that he would set up for these nights by purchasing the necessary tools or drugs.
Paul says Combs moved “Wild King” nights from hotels to residences after Cassie Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against the music mogul.
Paul testifies that he purchased drugs for Combs
15:00 , Ariana BaioPaul testified that he would purchase a variety of drugs for Combs, including marijuana, pink cocaine, ecstasy, and ketamine from drug dealers.
Paul said he would buy thousands of dollars worth of drugs, and occasionally tried them to prove his “loyalty.”
Working for Combs was demanding, Paul describes
14:42 , Ariana BaioPaul testified that he used drugs to stay awake while working for Combs, a job that he says required long hours and extreme dedication.
From the stand, Paul described the job, saying he worked anywhere from 80 to 100 hours per week and frequently flew with Combs.
“I was young, so I was able to handle it,” Paul said from the stand. He said he used Adderall and sometimes cocaine.
Paul, who was hired in 2022 to help Combs with workouts, said he was required to sign a non-disclosure agreement and give Combs’ security a copy of his I.D.
“He told me to get in, to get out, if you have a girlfriend break up with her, and you’re never going to see your family,” Paul testified.
Paul testifies he was arrested for cocaine possession
14:22 , Ariana BaioOn the stand, Paul says he stopped working for Combs in March 2024 after he was arrested for possession of cocaine at the Miami airport.
He said he was “sweeping” Combs’ room before leaving for the airport and grabbed the cocaine, but forgot to remove it from his bag before he left for his trip.
Brendan Paul takes the stand
14:11 , Ariana BaioBrendan Paul, a former assistant to Combs, has taken the stand to testify in the sex-trafficking trial.
Paul, who has been mentioned in at least three civil sexual assault lawsuits filed against Combs, has been described as a “drug mule” for the music mogul.
Paul was arrested on drug charges last March but those charges were later dropped.
Judge Subramanian is on the bench
14:00 , Ariana BaioJudge Arun Subramanian is on the bench as court prepares to begin for the day.
Catch up from court on Tuesday
13:34 , Ariana BaioJurors in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking case were again forced to watch more videos of the mogul’s drug-fueled “freak-off” sex sessions.
The rapper’s defense team played seven clips — spanning between 22 seconds and four minutes — for the panel. It is the second time in two days they have been asked to watch them, six weeks into the eight-week-long trial.
Kelly Rissman reports:
Jurors in Diddy trial forced to watch more clips of ‘freak offs’
Trial to hear from alleged drug mule Brendan Paul on Friday
13:00 , Joe SommerladSean “Diddy” Combs’s sex trafficking trial will today finally hear from Brendan Paul, a former assistant and alleged “drug mule” to the rapper, after a two-day pause in proceedings.
A juror was taken ill after experiencing vertigo symptoms on the way to court on Wednesday and then the trial was suspended again on Thursday for the Juneteenth holiday.
Paul’s appearance was touted earlier this week but has been repeatedly delayed by jury issues and the prolonged testimony of Special Agent DeLeassa Penland.
The prosecution had said it expected to conclude its case today but that could now drag on into next week.
Good morning
12:40 , Joe SommerladHello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the sex trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs as it resumes in New York.
Combs is facing sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution and racketeering conspiracy charges.
He was arrested in September 2024 as federal authorities alleged he threatened, abused and coerced victims “to fulfill his sexual desires” between 2004 and 2024.
Combs has denied any accusations of wrongdoing.
