Ex-Syracuse guard arrested amid 'Diddy' probe

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1]

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article, using information from a wire service, used a photo that was not Brendan Paul. We have updated the story and apologize for the error.

Former Syracuse guard Brendan Paul was arrested Monday and issued two drug-related charges, according to Miami-Dade (Fla.) County police records.

Paul was described in a federal lawsuit filed in February as a "mule" for rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs. The lawsuit, filed by Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones, accuses Combs of sexually abusing men and women, and mentions Paul as an assistant and confidant to Combs.

Paul allegedly "works as Mr. Combs mule. He acquires and distributes Mr. Combs drugs and guns" according to the lawsuit.

The arrest came while federal agents were raiding Combs' properties in Los Angeles and Miami amid a reported sex trafficking probe, law enforcement officials told The Associated Press.

Paul's attorney Brian Bieber told The Athletic, "We do not plan on trying this case in the media — all issues will be dealt with in Court."

Combs denied the sexual assault allegations in a December statement, saying "I did not do any of the awful things being alleged."

According to the Miami Herald, Paul's arrest Monday came at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport and was not related to the federal raid involving Combs.

Paul posted a $2,500 bond and will first appear in court on April 24.

Paul was a walk-on at Syracuse and played in 16 games, scoring three points across 17 minutes of action between 2018 and 2020. He then played two seasons at Fairmont State (W.V.), appearing in 35 games from 2020 to 2022.

Paul's name is spelled as Brendon Paul in police reports, but mugshot photos and the recorded date of birth align with the 25-year-old Ohio native.

(Photo: Rich Barnes / Getty Images)

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