Maui, Hawaii — Maui Police Chief John Pelletier is adamantly refuting allegations connecting him to a 2018 incident involving Sean “Diddy” Combs after a civil lawsuit surfaced accusing several individuals, including Pelletier, of misconduct in Orinda, California. Pelletier, appointed as police chief in 2021, has provided evidence including debit card transactions to demonstrate that he was in Las Vegas, not California, when the supposed events took place.
In response to being named in the lawsuit, Pelletier has publicly released records of his financial transactions from Las Vegas on March 23, 2018, the date of the alleged incident. These records display various purchases such as food and fitness services which Pelletier argues confirm his presence in Nevada, more than 8 hours away by car from Orinda.
According to Pelletier, not only was he not in Orinda on the date in question, but he has also never visited the city or Contra Costa County where the incident allegedly occurred. Moreover, during a press briefing, he mentioned an image cited in the lawsuit that allegedly depicted him at a sports event alongside Combs, clarifying that a different angle shown in a video listed its location squarely within a Super Bowl event in Minnesota, which he did not attend.
The civil lawsuit filed in October 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California also accuses Pelletier of impersonating a Contra Costa County sheriff and failing to report the alleged crime to emergency services. An amended complaint introduced in March included additional co-defendants and outlined their purported roles in the event.
Witness claims from two other plaintiffs, identified only as Jane and John Doe, suggest that they were forcibly transported from Las Vegas to California where they allegedly witnessed the episode. They also name other famous individuals such as comedian Drew “Druski” Desbordes and NFL player Odell Beckham Jr. as involved.
As the legal proceedings continue, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen has recommended that the Maui Police Commission consider placing Pelletier on administrative leave pending further investigation. He also called for an independent inquiry by the commission, which has planned a meeting to discuss these recommendations.
Pelletier expressed disappointment over the rapid progression towards judgment and the suggestion of a leave of absence, underlining that he has yet to be formally notified of the allegations. He affirmed his intention to furnish incontrovertible proof of his whereabouts and disprove the accusations leveled against him in court.
Despite the controversy, the chief remains committed to his duties and appreciative of the support from the community and colleagues who vouch for his character and professionalism. Pelletier, known for leading the response to the catastrophic Maui wildfires in August 2023, vowed to continue his service with honor and integrity.
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