What do a Maui Police Chief and Diddy have in common? Well, they both are named in a new lawsuit. Didn’t have that on our bingo cards.
Okay, so it goes like this … Maui Police Chief John Pelletier was named in a civil lawsuit alongside high-profile figures, including NFL player Odell Beckham Jr. and comedian Druski, alleging their involvement in or facilitation of crimes connected to Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Yes, that same lawsuit.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in California, accuses Pelletier of serving as security and a facilitator for Combs, sometimes impersonating law enforcement from other jurisdictions.
Federal. Yikes.
While Pelletier and others deny the allegations, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has called for the police chief to be placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.
That seems about right.
The nearly 90-page sprawling lawsuit claims that Pelletier acted as an enforcer for Combs in California and Las Vegas several years before becoming Maui’s police chief. The suit also includes serious allegations against Beckham Jr. and Druski, accusing them of rape. Combs, who is currently in federal custody awaiting trial on racketeering and sex trafficking charges, is at the center of the legal proceedings.
Enforcer for Diddy from LA to Vegas. It sounds like a movie, but it is a very serious allegation.
Get this: Maui Police Department spokesperson Alana Pico has denied any connection between Pelletier and the individuals named in the lawsuit. “We are confident that the evidence will demonstrate these claims to be false and will expose those who are deliberately trying to manipulate the legal system to spread misleading narratives,” Pico said.
As said, in response to the allegations, Mayor Bissen has recommended that Pelletier be placed on administrative leave, citing county precedent for such actions. “There is precedent within County of Maui government for placing appointed officials on leave while allegations against them are investigated. This approach does not constitute a presumption of guilt but ensures that the individual in question is not in a position that may compromise the integrity of the office while the matter is under review,” Bissen stated in a letter to the Maui Police Commission.
Bissen also urged the commission to conduct an independent review rather than waiting for the resolution of the federal case. “Given the gravity of the allegations, I recommend that the Maui Police Commission place Chief Pelletier on administrative leave pending further investigation. Additionally, I urge the Commission to conduct its own independent review rather than waiting for the resolution of the federal case. Taking proactive steps will demonstrate the County’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical governance,” he added.
This is serious for Maui, who is still reeling from those horrible wildfires.
The Maui Police Union declined to comment on the allegations, and attorneys for the plaintiffs did not respond to requests for further information. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case has drawn significant attention, raising questions about public officials’ accountability and integrity.