Rapper Nelly approaches the stage for a concert in Irbil, northern Iraq in 2015. Police have arrested Nelly after a woman said he raped her in a town outside Seattle, Washington. Photo / AP
Police arrested rapper Nelly early yesterday after a woman said he raped her in a town outside Seattle, an accusation the Grammy winner's attorney staunchly denied.
Auburn police spokesman Commander Steve Stocker said Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., was in jail yesterday after being arrested in
his tour bus at a Walmart. He will have his first appearance before a judge "at some point," Stocker said. Nelly was scheduled to perform in Ridgefield, Washington, last night.
Nelly performed at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, Washington, on Friday night. He's on tour with Florida Georgia Line.
Nelly's attorney, Scott Rosenblum, called the rape claim a "completely fabricated allegation."
"Our initial investigation clearly establishes this allegation is devoid of credibility and is motivated by greed and vindictiveness. I am confident, once this scurrilous accusation is thoroughly investigated, there will be no charges. Nelly is prepared to address and pursue all legal avenues to redress any damage caused by this clearly false allegation," Rosenblum said in an email.
