The sexual assault case filed against Seal by a former neighbor has been rejected by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, TMZ reports. You’ll recall that in January, TMZ reported that Seal, 54, was under criminal investigation for sexual battery, stemming from an alleged incident at his home in the fall of 2016 with actress Tracey Birdsall.
According to Birdsall, Seal had allegedly forced himself on her in his kitchen — attempting to kiss her and later groping her breasts in advances she quickly pushed off and demanded he stops. Though they were neighbors and developed a close friendship, Birdsall told TMZ there was never anything romantic between them and that his advances came out of nowhere.
She claimed he belittled her outfit, insinuating the tank top and shorts she was wearing implied she was asking for it. After Seal allegedly groped her again, she said she left and has not had contact with him since.
Seal refuted Birdsall’s sexual assault claims, with reps for the star telling PEOPLE in a statement he “vehemently denies the recent allegations made against him by a former neighbor for alleged misconduct more than a year ago.”