Sean "Diddy" Combs, NFL star Odell Beckham Jr., and comedian Druski have been named in a newly amended lawsuit that accuses them of participating in a gang rape in 2018 and claims a high-ranking law enforcement officer attempted to cover up the alleged crime. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Northern California, also implicates Maui Police Chief John Pelletier, alleging he posed as a Contra Costa sheriff's deputy in an effort to obstruct an investigation into the incident.
The complaint, brought by accuser Ashley Parham, alleges that the assault took place at a home in Orinda, California, after a gathering involving multiple high-profile figures. The lawsuit claims that after fleeing the house, Parham sought help from a neighbor, who then called 911. Pelletier, then a Las Vegas police captain, allegedly arrived at the scene, falsely identifying himself as a local law enforcement officer and discouraging Parham from pursuing further action.
"Pelletier, falsely posing as a Contra Costa Sheriff, told [Parham] and the neighbor that they had received several noise complaints prior to the neighbor's call and instructed [her] to find a way to get home," the filing states. The lawsuit further alleges that Pelletier handed the neighbor an envelope, which the plaintiff believes contained cash.
Pelletier, now the police chief of Maui, has denied all allegations. "We are confident that the evidence will demonstrate these claims to be false and will expose those who are deliberately trying to manipulate the legal system to spread misleading narratives," his spokesperson said in a statement.
The lawsuit alleges that Combs orchestrated the assault as an act of revenge after Parham previously suggested he was involved in the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur. The initial complaint, filed in October 2023, did not name Beckham Jr. or Druski, but the amended lawsuit now explicitly includes them.
Parham claims that multiple men took turns assaulting her while Combs held a knife to her throat. The attackers allegedly referred to one of the assailants as "Cornelius," which the lawsuit asserts was a reference to Beckham Jr., whose middle name is Cornelious. "Plaintiff has come to discover the Defendant Doe Cornelius who raped her was Defendant Odell," the complaint states.
Beckham Jr. has vehemently denied the claims, stating on X (formerly Twitter), "There is absolutely no truth to those allegations. I do not know and have never met the person that filed the suit. I have never done anything like that, and I would never do anything like that to anyone. I'm confident that these ridiculous claims against me will be dismissed."
The complaint further alleges that Druski, whose legal name is Drew Desbordes, participated in the assault by pouring oil on Parham's body before "treating it like a slip and slide and knocking the wind out of [her] due to his enormous size." The filing states that Druski then allegedly raped her.
Druski denied the accusations, calling them "a fabricated lie." "I wasn't even a public figure in 2018-I was broke living with my mom without any connections to the entertainment industry at the time of this allegation, so the inclusion of my name is truly outlandish," he wrote on social media.
Combs has been facing mounting legal challenges, including a federal sex trafficking case filed last year. His attorneys dismissed the latest lawsuit as an opportunistic attempt to extort him. "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," Combs' legal team stated.
The attorneys further contended that Combs "was nowhere near Orinda, California on the day Ms. Parham claims she was assaulted there," citing a previous investigation by the Contra Costa Sheriff's Department that found Parham's claims "unfounded."
"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," the attorneys added.
Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to separate federal charges, is currently in custody in Brooklyn, awaiting trial.
Parham's lawsuit, which includes multiple counts of assault, battery, and conspiracy, seeks unspecified damages. Two additional plaintiffs, identified as Jane Doe and John Doe, have also joined the case, claiming they were witnesses to the alleged attack.
While Beckham Jr. and Druski remain active in their respective careers, the allegations have raised questions about potential reputational and financial repercussions. Beckham Jr. has endorsement deals with major brands, and Druski has built a successful comedy career in recent years.
Pelletier, who has led the Maui Police Department since 2021, has not commented beyond his spokesperson's statement. The case is expected to proceed in federal court, with legal teams for all parties preparing to challenge the claims in upcoming hearings.
