Witness: Brendan Paul

Brendan Paul’s Testimony in Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ Sex Trafficking and Racketeering Trial: Day 27 Highlights On June 20, 2025, during Day 27 of Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in New York, Brendan Paul, a former assistant to Combs from late 2022 to March 2024, testified as a prosecution witness under immunity. Paul, a former Syracuse University basketball player, provided insight into his role in procuring drugs and setting up 'wild king nights'—a term used by Combs’ staff for alleged 'freak-offs,' drug-fueled sexual encounters central to the prosecution’s case. His testimony aimed to support the racketeering conspiracy charge by illustrating Combs’ reliance on employees to facilitate illicit activities, though the defense portrayed Paul’s actions as minor, consensual tasks. Paul began by detailing his arrest on March 25, 2024, at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport for cocaine possession, captured in a selfie with Combs and chief of staff Kristina 'KK' Khorram on a private jet bound for a Bahamas family vacation. When prosecutor Christy Slavik asked, 'Was the cocaine yours?' Paul replied, 'No,' identifying it as Combs’. Asked why he didn’t tell law enforcement, Paul cited 'loyalty,' stating the 0.7 grams was for Combs’ personal use, forgotten in his Goyard bag. He noted the charges were dropped due to his 'really good lawyer.' Paul denied being a 'drug mule,' defining it as 'someone who traffics kilos and kilos around the world,' and testified that drug procurement was a small part of his $100,000-a-year job, which primarily involved assisting with workouts and errands. Paul testified that he procured drugs like cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy, marijuana, and 'tusi' (2C-B) from dealers nicknamed Guido, One Stop, Baby Girl, and Ovi, using cash and emphasizing discretion to protect Combs’ identity. In a February 2024 text, Combs requested Xanax, and Paul replied, 'Still working on it. Have 2 leads.' He also purchased Cialis for Combs and once tried ecstasy at Combs’ request 'to prove my loyalty,' feeling 'euphoric' but continuing work. Paul described placing drugs in a Gucci pouch Combs kept in a backpack, referring to them as 'Gucci items.' He testified seeing Combs use these drugs but denied witnessing criminal activity during 'wild king nights.' Regarding 'wild king nights,' Paul said Khorram instructed him three or four times to set up hotel rooms, ensuring baby oil, alcohol, toiletries, extra sheets, and towels were present, per a shared staff list. He once provided $5,000 cash from security for a 'king night' and sent a photo of a hotel room with covered furniture to Combs’ travel manager, anticipating damage charges. Paul also sent Combs a photo of sex shop outfits for a 'king night' with Jane, a former girlfriend testifying under a pseudonym, but Combs didn’t respond. Paul testified that Jane appeared 'willing' and never expressed reluctance, supporting the defense’s claim of consensual participation. He noted Khorram preferred he not be involved in 'king nights,' which included 'partying, alcohol, sex, drugs,' and that Combs ceased hotel-based events after Cassie Ventura’s November 2023 lawsuit. During cross-examination by defense attorney Brian Steel, Paul emphasized that drug purchases and 'king night' setups were minor duties, affirming he was not a 'drug mule.' When Steel asked if Jane seemed upset after 'king nights,' Paul replied, 'No,' reinforcing the defense’s narrative of a consensual 'swingers’ lifestyle.' Steel also characterized Paul’s cocaine possession as a 'mistake,' which Paul confirmed, noting neither Combs nor Khorram asked him to carry it that day. Paul described his job as 'intense,' requiring long hours, and said his feelings toward Combs were 'complicated,' reflecting both positive experiences and the arrest’s fallout. On redirect, Slavik clarified that Paul was reimbursed for drug purchases via Combs’ financial staff, and Khorram’s awareness was evident in texts, suggesting a structured operation. Paul’s testimony concluded after redirect, providing a detailed but limited account of his role. The prosecution used Paul to show how Combs’ employees enabled 'freak-offs,' supporting the racketeering charge, while the defense highlighted Jane’s apparent willingness and Paul’s minimal involvement to argue consent. Legal analysts noted that Paul’s testimony strengthened the prosecution’s case by detailing drug procurement and event logistics but lacked direct evidence of coercion or trafficking, requiring further corroboration.

Compiled from news sources and summarized by Grok.

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