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Senior LAPD official: We have two dozen active investigations into Hollywood-related sex crimes
A senior LAPD official confirmed over the weekend there are two dozen open investigations into Hollywood-related sex crimes. The investigations began after Initial allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein (left). (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Senior LAPD official: We have two dozen active investigations into Hollywood-related sex crimes

An official with the Los Angeles Police Department revealed over the weekend they have two dozen open sex crime investigations connected to individuals in the entertainment industry.

What did they say?

According to NBC News, a senior LAPD official said the investigations "involve individuals who are known publicly as well as others who have not yet been identified." The crimes include both misdemeanors and felonies and range from sexual battery to rape. In many cases, there are multiple complaints connected to the same individual.

Unfortunately, the official also said he expects the number of cases to rise in the coming months, as more and more victims of sex crimes continue to go public with their stories. The official did not name any of the individuals who are under investigation.

The official also explained that about half of the cases fall beyond the state's statue of limitations, which means the crimes happened so long ago that they can no longer be prosecuted.

Who could be the individuals in the investigations?

At least two individuals could be Hollywood executive Harvey Weinstein and actor Kevin Spacey, who have had numerous allegations of sexual misconduct waged against them over the last several weeks.

Filmmaker James Toback, producer Brett Ratner, Steven Seagal, George Takei, Ed Westwick, actor Jeremy Piven, Dustin Hoffman and others are just some of the big Hollywood names who have also been accused of sexual misconduct in the last two months. Some, including Spacey and Weinstein, could face criminal scrutiny in other jurisdictions, including internationally.

What else has LAPD done?

Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey announced earlier this month investigators had created a special task force with the sole purpose of investigating allegations of sexual misconduct.

Lacey said:

In response to the widespread allegations of sexual abuse in the entertainment industry, I have established a task force of specially trained deputy district attorneys who are ready to evaluate these cases if any are referred to my office for criminal prosecution.

I have assigned the group of veteran sex crimes prosecutors to work together to ensure a uniformed approach to the legal review and possible prosecution of any case that meets both the legal and factual standards for criminal prosecution.

To date, no criminal charges have been filed. It's not clear if any of the open investigations will soon yield charges.

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