Maui Police Chief, Celebrities Face Lawsuit Allegations

Maui Police Chief John Pelletier, NFL star Odell Beckham Jr., rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs, and comedian Druski are implicated in a civil lawsuit alleging a cover-up of a gang rape in California in 2018. The lawsuit, filed by Ashley Parham, claims Pelletier, then a Las Vegas police captain, posed as a Contra Costa Sheriff's deputy and failed to offer assistance after Parham reported the assault, and allegedly handed an envelope, suspected to contain cash, to a neighbor. Despite these serious allegations, Pelletier and the accused celebrities have denied any wrongdoing. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen has recommended placing Pelletier on administrative leave, although Pelletier has rejected this suggestion as premature. The Police Commission will discuss the mayor's recommendation on March 19, amidst calls for an independent investigation into the allegations.