All charges filed against the former Syracuse University basketball player and associate of Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was accused of running drugs for the mogul, were dismissed on Tuesday after he completed a pretrial diversion program, his attorney announced.
Brendan Paul, 25, was arrested on March 25 at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport after authorities discovered narcotics in his luggage. He was arrested on felony charges of possession of suspected cocaine and possession of suspected marijuana candy.
“Mr. Paul’s case was formally dismissed today — in its entirety,” attorney Brian Bieber told The Hollywood Reporter via email on Tuesday afternoon.
Prosecutors were initially only pursuing the cocaine charge but as part of a plea deal typically offered to first-time drug offenders, Paul began a six-month pretrial diversion program. On Tuesday, the former Orangeman completed the course; Florida court records indicate that all the requirements Paul needed to complete have been met.
In the amended version of the civil lawsuit filed in a New York federal district court by record producer Rodney “Lil’ Rod” Jones, Paul is referred to as Combs’ “mule.” The complaint is filled with lurid details from Jones’ 18 months spent alongside the beleaguered rap mogul and launched wild speculation around Diddy’s lifestyle and secret “freak off” parties. Jones’ complaint states that Paul “procured, transported and distributed ecstasy, cocaine, GHB, ketamine, marijuana, mushrooms and tuci by packing these substances in their carry-on luggage and going through TSA.”
The civil suit also states that Paul was required “to carry (Combs’) firearm on their person whenever they went out” and that he was also tasked with producing sex workers for the now-jailed rapper, negotiating their rates and ensuring they were paid by Combs, according to the affidavit in Jones’ suit.
Paul’s arrest in March came the same day authorities searched Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami in a bi-coastal raid. Combs was arrested on Sept. 16 and is charged with racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he was denied bail and will remain until his trial in May.
Combs pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in federal court in Manhattan.
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