Comedian Paul Rodriguez arrested for drug possession

FILE PHOTO – Comedian Paul Rodriguez welcomes people waiting in line outside Laugh Factory Hollywood, which was providing free Thanksgiving meals Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

BURBANK – Comedian Paul Rodriguez is due in court next month after he and a friend were arrested in Burbank for drug possession, a charge he denies, according to TMZ.

The arrest occurred at 7:30 p.m. Friday after a vehicle in which Rodriguez was a passenger was stopped for a code violation, and a subsequent search turned up the narcotics, Burbank Police Department officials told multiple media outlets.

Following his release Saturday, Rodriguez told TMZ he was sleeping in the passenger seat and was slapped awake by a “Caucasian” officer on a “power trip” and is considering filing a formal complaint.

Rodriguez, 70, also alleged he was “roughed up” by police and that the drugs found belonged to a female friend, who was behind the wheel when they were pulled over.

He and his friend were booked at the Burbank City Jail for possession of narcotics.

Rodriguez was later released with a citation to appear in court on April 25. A city attorney will decide whether Rodriguez will face formal charges.

His unidentified friend remained in custody as of Saturday for outstanding warrants, TMZ reported.

In addition to his more than 30-year career as a stand-up comedian — often doing routines in both English and Spanish — Rodriguez has appeared in more than 40 films including “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” in 2008 and 2002’s “Blood Work” with Clint Eastwood along with numerous TV shows and specials.

The Mexico native, who was raised in Los Angeles, is also noted for his charitable work, including participating for more than 30 years in the annual free Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the underprivileged at Hollywood’s Laugh Factory.

In 1992, he received the Ruben Salazar Award for Communications from UnidosUS — the nation’s largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization — which recognizes an individual who has “dedicated his or her life to promoting accurate and positive portrayals of Hispanic historical, political, economic, and cultural contributions to American society.” (CNS)