Sean “Diddy” Combs’ former assistant, Brendan Paul, took the stand on Friday (June 20) to deliver his testimony about his time working for the embattled music mogul — detailing “freak-off” preparation and the clean-up afterwards.
Paul testified that he worked 100-hour weeks for the 55-year-old, who has pleaded not guilty to federal charges including sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution.
The ex-staff member described his role as “advancing” hotel locations, which meant setting up rooms before Diddy’s arrival. That included bringing baby oil, lubricant, condoms, candles, liquor, and arranging room service for extra towels, sheets, and water. Paul recalled how he would prep rooms for what Diddy referred to as “wild king nights” — another term used for “freak-offs.”
Although Paul said he didn’t witness the acts themselves, he knew they involved sex and partying. “I didn’t know what went on, but I just knew what I had to bring,” he told the court. Allegedly, his job was to also clean up. “I would put on gloves for sanity reasons,” he claimed, adding that he’d place used towels and sheets “in a nice pile” and leave tips for hotel staff. Still, the damage sometimes went beyond his efforts. “The rooms were in disarray,” he said. “I would try to avoid getting damage charges.”
Despite his clean-up, Paul claimed hotels often charged Diddy substantial fees for the aftermath. At Miami’s St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in December 2021, the mogul was allegedly hit with a $6,000 bill for “losses and damages.” At The London West Hollywood in January 2023, a $3,750 charge was allegedly issued after hotel staff discovered “bodily fluids stained on the wood floor” and “used linens in various sections of the room.”
By April of that same year, another $1,800 charge was allegedly levied for towels “soaked in baby oil” and evidence of smoking in the room.
Chelsea Lauren/Penske Media via Getty Images.
During his testimony, defense attorney Brian Steel asked Paul if drugs were “a minor part” of his role, to which Paul agreed, while adding that he was “absolutely not” a drug mule. When he was arrested in March 2024 with 0.7 grams of cocaine, Paul said he hadn’t realized he still had it on him.
“I was sweeping his room earlier that morning,” he explained, “I grabbed the drugs and put them in my bag and I forgot to put it elsewhere.” When asked why he didn’t tell police the drugs weren’t his, Paul answered, “Loyalty.” When asked how he feels about Diddy now, Paul simply responded, “It’s complicated.”
The government is expected to rest its case as early as Monday (June 23), with the defense possibly wrapping up by midweek. The father of seven is currently facing five serious federal charges that could see him behind bars for 15 years to life if convicted.
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