MALIBU—The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has announced it is investigating singer Seal after allegations of sexual battery emerged against him.
On Saturday, January 13, deputies from the LASD were called to a Malibu home in response to a “neighbor disturbance” call.
“It was determined, however, at the time of the deputies’ arrival there was no disturbance at the location between the victim and any of her neighbors,” the LASD indicated in a press release. “The victim disclosed to the deputies she, allegedly, had been the victim of a sexual battery in November of 2016.”
TMZ reported that actress and neighbor of Seal, Tracy Birdsall, indicated she visited the singer’s home in November 2016 to obtain a salad spinner she had allowed him to borrow. After arriving, Seal reportedly attempted to kiss her, as well as ridicule her choice of attire. He also allegedly groped her at least twice.
Representatives of Seal published a statement through TMZ reading:
“Seal vehemently denies the recent allegations made against him by a former neighbor for alleged misconduct more than a year ago. He intends to vigorously defend himself against these false allegations.”
Birdsall informed TMZ she decided to contact authorities regarding Seal after viewing social media posts by the singer noting his support for the #MeToo movement, a recent online campaign where victims of sexual assault share their stories publicly. Seal won three Grammy Awards in 1996 for the song “Kiss From a Rose.”
