The LAPD says it has 28 open sex-crime investigations linked to Hollywood and the media, and that it expects more will come.
As well as the investigations it currently has open, the force has also passed on 37 cases to other jurisdictions where it believes the crimes may have occurred.
‘We anticipate the LAPD and other jurisdictions will receive even more high profile sex crime reports in the coming weeks and months,’ Police Chief Charlie Beck told the LA Times.
‘We encourage all victims of sexual assault to come forward to report these crimes.’
Beck said that his department is committed to investigating all cases of sexual assault.
To that end, they have opened up two teams of five detectives each, with cold-case investigators on board to help look into historical accusations.
However, he noted that some – such as Corey Feldman’s claim that he was sexually abused by two adults while a child actor – had passed the statute of limitations.
Investigation: Hollywood agent Tyler Grasham is also accused of sexual assault. The LAPD has two teams of detectives looking into its 28 open sex crime cases
However, he thanked Feldman for coming forward, and asked others who believe that they have been affected to do the same.
‘We recognize the significant trauma these victims suffer at the hands of the predators who commit these heinous crimes,’ Beck said
‘Our detectives are coordinating closely with our local prosecutors and other police agencies including the NYPD.
‘The high profile nature of these particular cases has not changed our unyielding commitment to seek justice for ALL victims of sexual assault.’
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey has also announced this month that veteran sex crimes prosecutors will examine the cases put to them by the LAPD.
Hollywood has been abuzz with sex crime allegations since an investigation into eight claims of sexual harassment and assault against Harvey Weinstein snowballed.
More than 50 women have now come forward with claims about Weinstein, with allegations ranging from sexual harassment to rape.
Too late: The PD has promised to look into all claims, but for Corey Feldman it was too late – the statute of limitations has expired on his claims he was abused as a child
Weinstein is one of those on the LAPD’s books, but he has been joined by a number of other figures as others, emboldened by the high-profile case, have come forward.
Among the others being investigated are Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick, who is accused of raping two actresses and sexually assaulting a third; and Girls writer Murray Miller, who is accused of sexually assaulting an actress.
Hollywood agent Tyler Grasham is also on the books, having been accused of sexually assaulting three men, trading sex for favors with a fourth, and asking a 16-year-old boy to be his boyfriend.
By James Wilkinson for Dailymail.com
