LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Capt. John Pelletier has been accused of helping cover up a gang rape involving rapper and businessman Sean "Diddy" Combs.
In a nearly 90-page lawsuit, two Las Vegas victims — who were only identified as John and Jane Doe — claim they were walking to their vehicle outside their home when Pelletier approached them, held up a gun, and told them to get into a black SUV.
They claim Pelletier said they needed to be extradited to California for warrants. When they questioned Pelletier and said they didn't have any warrants, he allegedly "threatened to shoot [them] if they protested further."
WATCH: Former Las Vegas police captain accused of cover-up in Sean Combs lawsuit
The John and Jane Doe then claim Pelletier kidnapped them and took them to a home in the north part of the valley, near Durango and Grand Teton drives, where they say they were physically restrained.
Eventually, the couple said they were forced into a different SUV and driven to California, where they were taken to an apartment.
On March 23, 2018, the lawsuit alleges the couple and Pelletier watched Combs and several other men gang rape and sexually assault a woman who has been identified as Ashley Parham. When John and Jane yelled at the men to stop, the lawsuit claims one of the men hit Jane in the head with the handle of a firearm "to shut her up."
According to the lawsuit, Jane was taken to another room, where she was sexually assaulted. John claimed the men tried to force him to participate in the gang rape. When he refused, Combs allegedly told the men to physically assault him.
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Later, John, Jane, and Parham claim they worked together to escape to a neighbor's house and asked them to call the police.
When an officer arrived, the lawsuit claims Pelletier "appeared and obstructed Plaintiffs from speaking to the responding officer telling the responding officer a Federal investigation was ongoing and not to interfere." The victims also claim Pelletier handed an envelope to the neighbor, which they believed to be full of cash.
Pelletier has denied all of those claims and provided receipts, which he says prove he was in Las Vegas, not California. In a statement earlier this week, he wrote in part, "I firmly believe no one should face professional consequences based on unsubstantiated claims."
On Thursday, Pelletier released another statement denying the allegations outlined in the lawsuit:
"I have never visited the city of Orinda or Contra Costa County, California, where the alleged first incident is claimed to have occurred on March 23, 2018. I can unequivocally account for my whereabouts on that date, with documented proof confirming I was in Las Vegas.
Additionally, the image presented in the Parham lawsuit is a screenshot from a video posted during the February 4, 2018 Super Bowl in Minnesota. I have never been to Minnesota nor attended a Super Bowl. At that time, I was also in Las Vegas, as verified by documented evidence.
I am deeply disappointed by the rush to judgment and the calls for me to be placed on leave within hours of a baseless civil accusation—one for which I have yet to be formally served. This was done without allowing me to present documented proof of my whereabouts on the dates of these alleged incidents—evidence that categorically disproves these claims.
Despite these unfounded accusations, I remain fully committed to the officers, staff, and residents of this County. I genuinely appreciate the support of those who understand my character, my dedication to my family, and my lifelong commitment to this profession. I will continue to focus on serving this community and leading the Maui Police Department with the honor and integrity it deserves."
Attorneys for Combs also denied the claims and released the following statement:
“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.
Mr. Combs was nowhere near Orinda, California, on the day Ms. Parham claims she was assaulted there, and the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department has already confirmed Ms. Parham’s claims were determined to be unfounded following a thorough investigation. In an attempt to salvage her claims following the investigation debunking them, Ms. Parham has now invented an even wilder narrative, alleging a vast (and facially implausible) conspiracy between law enforcement, local civilians, and media industry players.
Her far-fetched tale contains it all: fake cops, cash bribes, and an alleged victim of the late Michael Jackson who was purportedly kidnapped across state lines and forced to ‘sign paperwork at gunpoint’ while shepherded through a web of ‘safe houses.’ No sane person reading this complaint could credit this story. 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.”"
We reached out to the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office, Walnut Creek Police Department, and the FBI field office in Los Angeles, which were all named in the lawsuit because the victims claimed to have filed reports with those agencies.
The Walnut Creek Police Department told us no reports were filed by Parham on the night she was assaulted, which is when the lawsuit claims she filed a report. The FBI field office in Los Angeles declined to comment and referred us to the national FBI press office. We have not heard back from them or the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office as of the time this article was published.
We also reached out to the victims' attorneys, who told us they can't share any additional information at this time.
Pelletier worked for LVMPD for 22 years before Maui County hired him as their new police chief in 2021.
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen sent a letter to the Maui Police Commission requesting Pelletier be placed on administrative leave while the investigation into the case continues.
Channel 13 obtained a copy of the letter, which you can read below:
The Maui Police Commission holds regular meetings and will discuss this matter at the meeting on March 19.