09 February 2018
Newsdesk
Steven Seagal's sexual assault case files have been sent over to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for review.
A spokesman confirmed to Variety on Friday (09Feb18) that police records surrounding one allegation of sex abuse aimed at the action film actor are now being looked over by prosecutors, who will determine whether to move forward with an indictment.
The county attorneys have the power to file charges and pursue a trial, decline the case, or pass the filing to counsellors in the Los Angeles city office to charge the star with lesser misdemeanour crimes.
Officers from the Beverly Hills Police Department submitted the findings on their investigation into the assault claim against Seagal to the County District Attorney's office on 31 January.
Detectives at the neighbouring Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) revealed last month they are also looking into allegations launched against the star regarding an alleged 2005 sexual assault. So far 13 women, including actresses Portia de Rossi, Julianna Margulies, Jenny McCarthy and Katherine Heigl, have accused Seagal of misconduct. He has denied many of the claims.
Seagal is not the only Hollywood heavyweight who is facing potential criminal charges for alleged sex abuse. LAPD officials submitted a case against William Morris Endeavor agent Adam Venit to the District Attorney's Office on Tuesday (06Feb18), D.A. spokesman Ricardo Santiago has confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
The potential criminal case is tied to actor Terry Crews' allegation of assault against the executive. The Expendables star claims Venit grabbed his genitals at a party in 2016. Crews also launched a civil lawsuit, asking the court to award him damages over Venit's alleged sexual misconduct.
District Attorneys are also considering five sexual assault cases against former Miramax CEO Harvey Weinstein and director James Toback and one aimed at former That '70s Show actor Danny Masterston.
