AceShowbiz -

Seal is reportedly under investigation for alleged sexual battery, just one week after encouraging victims of sexual abuse to come forward via his Facebook page. According to a new TMZ report, the 54-year-old British singer/songwriter has been accused by his former neighbor, actress Tracey Birdsall, of groping and forcefully kissing her.

Tracey, also 54, told the news outlet on Tuesday, January 16 that she and the "Kiss From a Rose" singer developed a close friendship in the fall of 2016 while they were neighbors in Los Angeles. She claimed that she was in Seal's kitchen to retrieve a salad spinner she'd lent him when he suddenly lunged at her.

Tracey revealed the Golden Globe-nominated singer forced himself on her, trying to kiss her. The blonde beauty said she shouted, "What are you doing?!" to which the musician replied, "I'm kissing you!" Seal then proceeded to belittle her outfit, which consisted of a tank top and shorts, and grope her breasts without consent.

The "Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter" star told the site that she was in "shock and complied" after Seal invited her to sit on the couch next to him. She said the "Fly Like an Eagle" singer once again made fun of what she was wearing and groped her again. The actress said she left shortly after the incident and never contacted him again.

Tracey reported her claims to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on Saturday, January 13, according to TMZ, and a criminal investigation has since been launched.

Meanwhile, a rep for Seal responded to the allegation in a statement, "Seal vehemently denies the recent accusations made against him by a former neighbor for alleged misconduct of more than a year ago." The rep added that the four-time Grammy winner "intends to vigorously defend himself against these false allegations."