/*Sean "Diddy" Combs*/ is no stranger to the flashing camera lights of the paparazzi.
Everywhere the rapper goes fans follow.
This time the mayor and police commissioner are following the star, and investigating if he got an unauthorized police escort following a concert last week.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne released a statement saying, "After being repeatedly rebuffed by police officers on the street and a police lieutenant at the station house, a dry cleaner claiming to represent Sean Combs apparently prevailed upon a sergeant to direct a police van driven by a police officer to escort Combs a total of one city block from mid W. 35th St., closer to 9th Ave, across 9th Ave and another half block to Dyer Ave, after which the Combs party drove unescorted. Although a distance of just one block, the assistance provided was unauthorized and is under investigation. Assertions that Combs was escorted by the NYPD into New Jersey are false."
Mayor Bloomberg says the performer should not have gotten special treatment.
Combs tried to take a helicopter to /*West Orange*/, /*New Jersey*/ for a $75,000 club appearance after his show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in /*Midtown*/, /*Manhattan*/.
But, the /*FAA*/ squashed those plans.
After being driven one block by the police escort, Two Manhattan big wigs say that they stepped in and pulled some strings, getting the rapper to the venue in less than 15 minutes using three unmarked police cars with off-duty officers the rest of the way.
"I was asked if there was something I can do and get him some type of escort so I made a few phone calls and I know a lot people. I am a native New Yorker and I was able to accommodate off-duty officers to accommodate him to his next venue," said John Mahdessian, President of Madame Paulette.
John Mahdessian owns the high end couture dry-cleaning service Madame Paulette.
He helped Diddy with clothes for the show.
Jeffrey Beri the CEO of Lauren Berger Collection organized the rapper's hotel stay.
They believe the officers followed the rules.
"You come to New York and you stay with us, it's our job to make sure you get to point A to point B safely," Beri said.
The mayor explained a police escort is only used in the event of "a security issue."
Off-duty officers are allowed to escort anyone they want, but they need to do the speed limit and obey local traffic laws.
