Penn State Dad Denies Cocaine Flush, Claims Safe Was a Gift

Paul Robinson, an attorney facing charges related to a cocaine trafficking ring at Penn State, claims he was unaware of the contents of a safe he received, his lawyer stated. Robinson's attorney, Michael DeRiso, asserted that his client was given the safe in December 2024 while clearing out his son's fraternity room and did not know it contained drugs and cash.

Prosecutors allege Robinson tampered with evidence and obstructed the investigation by removing cocaine from the safe and flushing it down a toilet, an action DeRiso vehemently denies on behalf of his client. "My client didn’t know what was in the safe, and the allegation is he removed cocaine from the safe, he did not take cocaine and flush it down the toilet to protect his son," DeRiso told The Post.

Robinson and his son, Thomas Robinson, are both implicated in the scandal. Thomas Robinson, 24, is among more than a dozen current and former Penn State students charged in connection with a cocaine trafficking operation. Agostino Abbatiello, 24, of Long Island, is alleged to be the ringleader.

Authorities became aware of Thomas Robinson's alleged involvement after a confidential informant reported that an individual known as 'T-Rob' was selling large quantities of cocaine from the Delta Upsilon Fraternity House. Thomas Robinson was arrested in December 2024.

Paul Robinson, a managing partner at the law firm Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebeneck & Eck, stated through his lawyer that he was unaware of his son's alleged participation in the drug ring until he had to post bail. According to DeRiso, Paul Robinson learned of the significant charges against his son when he picked him up from jail. DeRiso added that Paul Robinson acquired the safe a day or two later while assisting his son in removing belongings from his dorm room after his expulsion from the university.

Robinson's law firm issued a statement confirming that the allegations concern him individually and do not involve the firm, its clients, or its legal services. The firm indicated it is reviewing the circumstances of the matter.