Maui Police Chief Accused of Covering Up Diddy Assault Allegations

OAKLAND, California – Maui Chief of Police John Pelletier is at the center of serious allegations following an amended lawsuit that accuses him of participating in a cover-up related to a 2018 gang rape incident involving rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs and NFL star Odell Beckham Jr.

The lawsuit, filed in Northern California federal court, claims that Pelletier, then a Las Vegas police captain, intervened to protect the accused when a woman named Ashley Parham sought assistance immediately after the alleged assault at a home in Orinda, California. Parham alleges that upon arrival, Pelletier misrepresented himself as a Contra Costa Sheriff’s deputy and failed to offer her any support.

According to the court documents, instead of assisting Parham, Pelletier informed her and a concerned neighbor that the location had prior noise complaints and instructed her to find her way home without any medical help or transportation. Parham alleges she witnessed Pelletier handing an envelope to the neighbor, which returned empty-handed moments later, leading her to believe it contained cash.

“The neighbor went to a nearby room and quickly returned empty-handed,” the lawsuit states. “Ashley believes the envelope contained cash.”

Initially, the lawsuit, filed in October 2023, did not name Beckham Jr. or comedian Druski, but the updated complaint details involved both figures along with disturbing claims. Parham states that Beckham Jr. was referred to in the assault as “Cornelius,” which is his middle name. The complaint notes that she later discovered that the assailant referred to as Cornelius was Beckham.

Beckham Jr. responded vehemently on social media, stating, “There is absolutely no truth to those allegations. I do not know and have never met the person that filed the suit.” He further expressed confidence that the accusations against him would be dismissed, asserting, “I have never done anything like that, and I would never do anything like that to anyone.”

Comedian Druski, whose real name is Drew Desbordes, is accused in the lawsuit of assaulting and raping Parham by allegedly applying oil to her bare body. He strongly denied the allegations on social media, stating that he was not a public figure in 2018 and was living with his mother at the time, calling the claims “outlandish.” Druski emphasized his support for genuine abuse victims but expressed belief that evidence would disprove the accusations against him.

Legal representatives for Combs have also issued categorical denials regarding the claims, labeling the lawsuit as a sham aimed at exploiting the rapper’s fame. “This new complaint—brought by an attorney who has already been sued for defaming Mr. Combs—demonstrates the depraved lengths plaintiffs will travel to garner headlines in pursuit of a payday,” the legal team stated. They emphasized that Combs was “nowhere near Orinda, California, on the day Ms. Parham claims she was assaulted,” pointing to a previous investigation by the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department that purportedly found the claims unsubstantiated.

In a statement, Combs’ legal team asserted, “Mr. Combs looks forward to having his day in court where these lies—and the perverse motives of those who told them—will be revealed.”

Pelletier’s spokesperson also denied involvement, expressing confidence that the evidence would prove the allegations false and expose those trying to manipulate the legal system.

These serious accusations surface as Combs faces federal sex trafficking charges and multiple civil lawsuits alleging abusive behavior. The Bad Boy Records founder is currently held in federal custody in Brooklyn, awaiting trial scheduled for May 2025.