Maui Police Chief John Pelletier is seeking an apology from Mayor Richard Bissen after a federal lawsuit involving allegations connected to Sean “Diddy” Combs was dismissed. KHON2 reported that Pelletier had been accused of using his position as a Las Vegas police officer to act on behalf of Combs. On Tuesday, a federal judge dismissed the case due to a failure to prosecute, noting that the defendants, including Pelletier, were never served with the lawsuit.
Chief Pelletier denied the allegations and provided the police commission with evidence, including receipts and photos, supporting his account. According to KITV, his attorney stated the case “collapsed under its own falsehoods.” With the lawsuit dismissed, Pelletier criticized Mayor Bissen for acting prematurely, saying it affected his family and personal reputation.
As per the interview with KHON2, Mayor Bissen told Pelletier that he would not issue a public apology even if the allegations were proven false. Despite the tension, the mayor expressed appreciation for the dismissal of the lawsuit and extended his “aloha and compassion” to Pelletier and his family, while stopping short of offering a direct apology.
Pelletier has maintained his commitment to transparency and due process throughout the proceedings. Following the court’s dismissal of the lawsuit, he plans to continue serving as Maui Police Chief. While Mayor Bissen did not directly respond to Pelletier’s request for an apology, he stressed the importance of unity between his office and the Maui Police Department. The Maui Police Commission expressed support for the chief, noting that there was no credible evidence to justify action against him.
