Maui Police Chief John Pelletier has somehow resisted the call to quit amid stunning allegations linking him to the alleged coverup of a gang rape involving Hip-Hop billionaire Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2018.
At a contentious public meeting, the Maui Police Commission unanimously voted 7-0 to allow Pelletier to keep his job, turning down a recommendation from the mayor, Richard Bissen, to place him on administrative leave while an investigation unfolds. The commission, which has sole authority to hire and fire the police chief, rejected Bissen’s request, saying there was insufficient credible evidence to take action to discipline Pelletier.
A former police captain in Las Vegas, Pelletier is named in a civil lawsuit that alleges he assisted in the coverup of a gang rape that allegedly involved the rapper Diddy, NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. and comedian Druski. The lawsuit claims Pelletier was working as private security for Diddy at the time of the alleged incident. Conversely, Pelletier adamantly denies the allegations and has yet to be formally served with the suit.
In the public hearing, Pelletier offered multiple pieces of what he said was concrete evidence disputing the accusations, including receipts and proofs showing he hadn’t been at the scene of the purported crime. His lawyer mocked the lawsuit as “a TikTok video,” not a legitimate legal complaint.
A significant evidence in the suit, an image of a photo purportedly of Pelletier at the scene of the alleged attack, was also contested. Pelletier said the photo was lifted from a 2018 Super Bowl event he didn’t attend.
Two former Maui Police chiefs, Thomas Phillips and Gary Yabuta, also wrote letters in favor of Pelletier, attesting to his character and credibility. Their support seemed to have significance, with the commission meeting overwhelmingly speaking in favor of Pelletier in public testimony, with many residents calling the lawsuit defamatory and unsubstantiated.
While Pelletier avoided suspension or being fired, he told the Journal he was extremely upset about the allegations and how they had affected his family. “I have two little kids no one’s apologized to them,” he said, addressing the personal blow of the accusations. He also emphasized the risk of made-up claims, saying they “injure real victims of abuse” by damaging genuine cases.
Mayor Bissen previously argued that putting employees on administrative leave while investigations are underway is standard procedure and pointed to other cases in his administration. But, as the lawsuit still has a long way to go and no formal motions have been granted to move it along, the commission decided there had been insufficient cause to dismiss Pelletier from his post.
Pelletier said that he will investigate to clear his name if the lawsuit goes forward. He’s still the head of the Maui Police Department, but the controversy surrounding him isn’t over. Cautioning against that assumption, it’s clear as the legal war rages on, this story is not done.
At a contentious public meeting, the Maui Police Commission unanimously voted 7-0 to allow Pelletier to keep his job, turning down a recommendation from the mayor, Richard Bissen, to place him on administrative leave while an investigation unfolds. The commission, which has sole authority to hire and fire the police chief, rejected Bissen’s request, saying there was insufficient credible evidence to take action to discipline Pelletier.
A former police captain in Las Vegas, Pelletier is named in a civil lawsuit that alleges he assisted in the coverup of a gang rape that allegedly involved the rapper Diddy, NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. and comedian Druski. The lawsuit claims Pelletier was working as private security for Diddy at the time of the alleged incident. Conversely, Pelletier adamantly denies the allegations and has yet to be formally served with the suit.
In the public hearing, Pelletier offered multiple pieces of what he said was concrete evidence disputing the accusations, including receipts and proofs showing he hadn’t been at the scene of the purported crime. His lawyer mocked the lawsuit as “a TikTok video,” not a legitimate legal complaint.
A significant evidence in the suit, an image of a photo purportedly of Pelletier at the scene of the alleged attack, was also contested. Pelletier said the photo was lifted from a 2018 Super Bowl event he didn’t attend.
Two former Maui Police chiefs, Thomas Phillips and Gary Yabuta, also wrote letters in favor of Pelletier, attesting to his character and credibility. Their support seemed to have significance, with the commission meeting overwhelmingly speaking in favor of Pelletier in public testimony, with many residents calling the lawsuit defamatory and unsubstantiated.
While Pelletier avoided suspension or being fired, he told the Journal he was extremely upset about the allegations and how they had affected his family. “I have two little kids no one’s apologized to them,” he said, addressing the personal blow of the accusations. He also emphasized the risk of made-up claims, saying they “injure real victims of abuse” by damaging genuine cases.
Mayor Bissen previously argued that putting employees on administrative leave while investigations are underway is standard procedure and pointed to other cases in his administration. But, as the lawsuit still has a long way to go and no formal motions have been granted to move it along, the commission decided there had been insufficient cause to dismiss Pelletier from his post.
Pelletier said that he will investigate to clear his name if the lawsuit goes forward. He’s still the head of the Maui Police Department, but the controversy surrounding him isn’t over. Cautioning against that assumption, it’s clear as the legal war rages on, this story is not done.
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