The investigation into allegations of sexual battery made against Seal have been dropped, according to USA Today. In January, the actor Tracey Birdsall claimed that after visiting the musician’s house to retrieve a salad spinner that he had borrowed, he began to forcibly kiss and grope her, despite her demands that he stop.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department confirmed that it was investigating Birdsall’s claims, but the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office has decided not to file criminal charges, USA Today reports.
Birdsall initially publicised her story after Seal posted a Facebook video criticising Hollywood for enabling sexual predators, and encouraging women to share their experiences of abuse.
Prior to the DA’s decision, Seal released a statement saying that he “vehemently denies the recent allegations made against him by a former neighbour for alleged misconduct more than a year ago”.
Seal has sold millions of albums worldwide; his hits include Kiss from a Rose, Crazy and Killer. The English musician released his most recent album Standards, a collection of jazz, swing and big band numbers, in November 2017. He is currently touring the album in the UK. The run concludes at the London Palladium on February 23.
