Amid allegations of sexual assault in a lawsuit against rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs, two retired Maui police chiefs, Gary Yabuta and Thomas Phillips, have voiced support for Chief John Pelletier, calling administrative leave "premature and unjust." Pelletier, accused of aiding in the cover-up of a March 23, 2018, gang rape involving Combs, denies ever meeting him and has presented emails, bank records, and receipts to show he was 550 miles away at the time. Despite this, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen has urged Pelletier’s leave, with a county spokesperson stating that "widespread media attention underscores the urgent need for action," according to Hawaii News Now.
On the flip side, Thomas Phillips, who previously served as Maui's police chief for over a decade, has showcased skepticism towards the allegations; in an interview cited by KITV, Phillips stated, "I think he's (Pelletier) provided enough information to show that there's no way it was him." Notably, Phillips himself recounts never being requested to step down in the face of civil lawsuits during his own tenure.
Pelletier's legal team has presented an evidence packet to the Maui Police Commission containing time-stamped receipts, text messages, emails, and photos intended to refute allegations against him. The packet includes a photo that Pelletier's counsel claims was misidentified in court documents, with Phillips stating, "When I met him four years ago, he had hair. He wasn't bald at that point and it didn't look like him any way, to me," as reported by KITV.
Mayor Bissen has recommended that the Police Commission place Chief Pelletier on leave to allow for an impartial investigation into an allegation. The county spokesperson stated, "This matter is too serious to be influenced by public debate. To protect public trust and ensure a fair, independent review, Mayor Bissen stands firmly behind his recommendation that the Police Commission place Chief Pelletier on leave to allow for an impartial investigation into the allegation." The spokesperson further clarified in a letter, “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." The Police Commission is scheduled to discuss the matter on Wednesday, as stated by KITV.
