Diddy's Ex-Aide: Drugs, Freak Offs, and a Gucci Pouch
On the surface, Brendan Paul seemed to be living the dream — young, athletic, and working closely with one of hip-hop's biggest names. But when he took the stand in federal court, that glamorous veneer cracked wide open.
Who Is Brendan Paul?
Brendan Paul, a former Syracuse University basketball player, began working as an assistant to Sean "Diddy" Combs in late 2022. By March 2024, his employment — and his personal freedom — took a sudden turn. Paul was arrested at a Florida airport on drug charges just hours after federal agents raided Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami Beach.
The charges against Paul were eventually dropped after he completed a diversion program. Still, his arrest became part of a much larger narrative — one that now includes a racketeering and sex trafficking trial against the music mogul who once employed him.
What Paul Told the Court
On June 20, 2025, Paul testified under immunity as a government witness in Diddy's federal trial in Manhattan. The allegations in this case are serious — prosecutors accuse Combs of leading a decades-long criminal enterprise involving sex trafficking, intimidation, and illicit drug use. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Paul described grueling working conditions — 80 to 100-hour weeks, minimal sleep, and constant pressure. He said Combs would compare his assistant staff to SEAL Team 6, demanding flawless performance at all times.
Paul said he was responsible for organizing "freak offs," a term used by staff to refer to drug-fueled sex parties, according to Yahoo News. He was expected to prepare the rooms with specific items, including condoms, candles, liquor, lights, lubricant, and a Gucci pouch full of drugs. Paul testified that after Combs' ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a civil lawsuit accusing him of abuse, these hotel nights reportedly stopped.
Paul claimed he was directed to buy marijuana, cocaine, ketamine, and ecstasy on multiple occasions. He named several dealers he interacted with and said drugs were often stored in Combs' signature fanny pack. Under cross-examination, however, Paul made clear he did not view himself as a "drug mule," stating, "Absolutely not" when asked by Combs' attorney, according to USA Today.
Arrest and Fallout
Paul's March 2024 arrest happened at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport, where he was reportedly found with cocaine in his bag. He told the court he had been cleaning Combs' room, found the drugs, and mistakenly packed them. When law enforcement discovered the substances, Paul claimed everything as his out of what he described as "loyalty" to Combs, according to PEOPLE.
He was not charged with transporting drugs for anyone else, and during testimony, reiterated that no one — not Combs nor his chief of staff — instructed him to bring drugs aboard the plane that day.
Where Things Stand Now
Brendan Paul's testimony adds another layer to a complex and unfolding trial. Prosecutors are using his statements to suggest Combs ran an organized operation that revolved around drugs, sex, and secrecy. Defense attorneys argue these were personal choices made by adults — not criminal activities.
Paul's final words on the stand may have said it best. According to PEOPLE, when asked how he felt about Combs today, he simply said they were "complicated."
References: No Sleep, No Life, and a Gucci Bag of Drugs: Inside the Shocking Claims from Diddy's Ex-Assistant | Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial recap: Ex-assistant Brendan Paul testifies he bought drugs for Combs — but he was no 'drug mule' | Diddy trial recap: Alleged 'drug mule' Brendan Paul says 'loyalty' kept him quiet
