Anthony Anderson under criminal investigation for assaulting woman
Black-ish star Anthony Anderson is currently under criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Anderson allegedly assaulted a woman last year after an event she catered for the actor.
“It’s unfortunate that anyone can file a police report, whether it is true or false,” Anderson’s representative said in a statement to Variety.com. “The authorities have not contacted Anthony or any of his representatives about this matter. Anthony unequivocally disputes the claim,” the representative added.
The Blast magazine cited sources familiar with the situation, who said the woman met with Anderson a second time after the event to discuss future business opportunities with the actor when the assault occurred. She later filed a police report with the Hollywood Division of the LAPD. The force confirmed to Variety.com that a criminal investigation is underway, but that they had no additional information, and could not reveal the nature of the inquiry.
Though the woman did not file a report immediately after the incident occurred, according to The Blast, she felt comfortable coming forward months later, due, in part, to the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, which has seen numerous women open up about experiences of abuse at the hands of powerful men in the entertainment industry.
Anderson has been accused of misconduct before—he and assistant director Wayne Witherspoon were accused of raping an extra on the set of the 2005 film, Hustle & Flow.