Legendary comedian Paul Rodriguez, who was arrested last month for drug possession, has seen the case against him rejected.
Rodriguez previously threatened legal action against police over his shock fentanyl raid, which he claimed was ‘racially motivated,’ insisting that the drugs the authorities found did not belong to him.
The 70-year-old went to war with the Burbank Police Department after his arrest, alleging a ‘white cop slapped him,’ while law enforcement had a different story.
At the time, DailyMail.com received conflicting statements from Rodriguez’ lawyer and the police.
Now, however, the Burbank City Attorney has confirmed his office is not proceeding with charges owing to lack of sufficient evidence, via TMZ.
In response to the news, Rodriguez’ lawyer Bobby Samini said: ‘My client commends the City Attorney for their determination in this matter. It is without doubt that Mr. Rodriguez was innocent and never possessed any controlled substance. ‘
Legendary comedian Paul Rodriguez has threatened legal action against police over his shock fentanyl raid which he claims was ‘racially motivated’ as law enforcement has a different story
Samini added: ‘Mr. Rodriguez maintained his innocence and rejected the assertion by Burbank PD that he committed any crime. He is grateful for the support he received from his fans, family and friends throughout this difficult time.’
In a previous statement two weeks ago, Samini argued that the arresting police officer’s actions constituted a civil rights violation.
Samini told DailyMail.com on April 2: ‘The assertion that Mr. Rodriguez was in possession of any controlled substance is absolutely false.
‘Statements by anonymous sources that to the contrary are solely intended to defame Mr. Rodriguez are cowardly and irresponsible. Mr. Rodriguez will defend these allegations and take all appropriate legal action against those responsible.’
The attorney went on to list out Rodriguez’s contributions to the nation in the form of his military service.
Samini continued: ‘Aside from Mr. Rodriguez’s storied career in Hollywood, he is a retired United States Air Force veteran. He served this Country honorably and held the highest levels of security clearance.
‘Although he fully cooperated with law enforcement, he was forcibly removed from the vehicle, arrested, and subsequently strip-searched. No controlled substances were found in his possession or on his person. This conduct was not intended to protect and serve the community but intended to humiliate and demean Mr. Rodriguez.’
Rodriguez was arrested with a female friend who was driving at the time and law enforcement conducted a search as they found drugs in the unidentified woman’s purse.
The 70-year-old comedian is currently embroiled in a war with the Burbank Police Department coming off the heels of his recent arrest for drug possession as he claimed a ‘white cop slapped him’
Now Sergeant Stephen Turner has responded to Rodriguez’s allegations – on behalf of the Burbank Police Department – in a statement to DailyMail.com on Wednesday as the officer said that the agency is aware of the alleged misconduct and ‘the incident is being administratively reviewed by the Department’
Samini concluded: ‘Mr. Rodriquez, a passenger in the vehicle, was treated like a dangerous criminal.
‘My client believes in the judicial system and will seek justice from a jury of his peers. Mr. Rodriguez will exercise his legal rights and clear his name.’
Sergeant Stephen Turner responded to Rodriguez’s allegations – on behalf of the Burbank Police Department – in a statement to DailyMail.com also on April 2.
The officer said that the agency is aware of the alleged misconduct and ‘the incident is being administratively reviewed by the Department.
Turner also told DailyMail.com that ‘Mr. Paul Rodriguez spoke with a Watch Commander upon his release from jail and he did not allege any misconduct.’
This came days after Rodriguez broke his silence following his arrest on Friday.
The entertainer, known for his stand-up comedy and film roles, was pulled over by police in Burbank, California, for a traffic violation, according to TMZ.
While the specific details of the violation remain unclear, sources claim that during the stop, officers searched Rodriguez’s vehicle and allegedly found narcotics inside.
He was arrested and taken into custody on misdemeanor drug possession charges.
However, in a statement to TMZ on Saturday, Rodriguez denied the drugs were his, claiming that one of the officers acted inappropriately during the arrest.
He also suggested the incident may have been racially motivated.
DailyMail.com had reached out to Paul’s reps for comment at the time.
Legendary Rodriguez was arrested on drug possession charges Friday, according to law enforcement sources
Rodriguez explained that while his car was pulled over, he was asleep in the passenger seat when the officer, who he described as ‘Caucasian,’ allegedly slapped him to wake him up, accusing the officer of being on a ‘power trip.’
As for the narcotics, Rodriguez claims they belonged to his friend, who was driving at the time.
According to the comedian, his friend admitted to police that the drugs were hers.
Despite this, Rodriguez says he was “roughed up” and arrested along with her. The vehicle was impounded.
Police officials confirmed that Rodriguez was cited and released on misdemeanor drug possession charges, and the case will be forwarded to the city attorney for review. However, authorities have yet to comment on Rodriguez’s allegations.
Rodriguez revealed that he is considering filing a formal complaint regarding the officer’s conduct. Meanwhile, his friend is being held for outstanding warrants.
This incident comes amid a challenging period for the comedian.
In November of last year, Rodriguez’s longtime friend, Donald Serrato, passed away from natural causes while staying at Rodriguez’s Los Angeles home.
Additionally, in 2021, the comedian underwent quadruple bypass surgery.
Serrato had sold his own home in Torrance and was staying at Rodriguez’ residence in the Los Angeles area for some days before moving to Montana at the time of his death.
Law enforcement sources said the authorities believe Serrato died of natural causes, and do not suspect drugs or foul play were involved.
At the time, Rodriguez said he felt Serrato’s alleged heavy drinking and smoking – as well as his grief over two bereavements in his family – may have contributed to his demise.
He explained that he left the house at about 6am Thursday to go to a film shoot and then rang Serrato at approximately 12pm to make lunch plans.
However he received no answer to his phone call, so he contacted Serrato’s girlfriend who then visited the house to check in on him, he told TMZ.
Emergency services responded by visiting Rodriguez’ home and finding Serrato, whom they pronounced dead on the scene.
Rodriguez, who was born in Sinaloa before immigrating to Compton with his family, has been a comedian for more than four decades.
His son is a famous skateboarder also called Paul Rodriguez (right), who goes by P-Rod on social media and boats over a million followers on Instagram
He is a regular on the stand-up circuit, and is one of the elite group of comedians whose photos are on the wall of the iconic Comedy Store in Los Angeles.
Early in his career, Rodriguez even led the cast of his own sitcom a.k.a. Pablo in 1984, thought it was canceled after six episodes.
Over the years, fans have seen him on top television programs including The Golden Girls, Touched By An Angel and The Twilight Zone.
He has also lent his voice to cartoons like King Of The Hill, Dora The Explorer and The Proud Family, and the animated film Cats & Dogs: The Return Of Kitty Galore.
Rodriguez has featured in live-action movies like the 2002 Clint Eastwood film Blood Work and the 2021 release Clifford The Big Red Dog.
His son is a famous skateboarder also called Paul Rodriguez, who goes by P-Rod on social media and boats over a million followers on Instagram.
