Diddy’s Police Escort Under Investigation

The New York City Police Department is being scrutinized for giving Diddy the royal treatment. Police are under investigation for escorting the hip-hop mogul a debatable one-city block following a concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom last Friday (April 23).

Yesterday (April 26), the New York Post reported that Diddy was to take a helicopter to his $75,000 club appearance at 4Sixty6 in West Orange, N.J. following the Hammerstein show, but the FAA did not approve use of the club's helipad in time. A man identified as John Mahdessian, the owner of a luxury dry-cleaning service used by Diddy, organized the "last-minute" escort -- a reported three squad cars that included both NYPD and New Jersey cops -- through his own contacts and the company arrived "at the club in New Jersey within 15 minutes," Mahdessian said.

Well, using the tax payers money to get Diddy somewhere fast isn't exactly a security issue, the only reason Mayor Michael Bloomberg cites for issuing a police escort. "The bottom line is we're not in the ... the police department should treat everybody exactly the same and if you don't get a police escort, P.Diddy shouldn't," Bloomberg said.

The NYPD denies the NY Post report that several cops escorted Combs to his Jersey gig, alleging that only one police van was used. The sergeant who allowed the police escort for one city block is being investigated for the unauthorized assistance. The venue is located on 34th St. between 8th and 9th Ave., while the Lincoln Tunnel entrance sits at 39th St. and 10the Ave. The distance between the two is relatively close, but calling it "one city block" is a stretch. One city councilman is asking Combs to reimburse the city.