LOS ANGELES — Police in Los Angeles are investigating the apparent leak of a photo that appears be of Rihanna after she was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend, fellow singer Chris Brown.
The photograph in question was posted on the celebrity gossip Web site TMZ.com Thursday night under the headline: "Rihanna - The Face of a Battered Woman." The graphic photo shows what appears to be the R&B star with her eyes closed, a fat lip, and bruises and cuts on her forehead. (View the photo)
Shortly after the photograph was posted, the Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement saying that it "takes seriously its duty to maintain the confidentiality of victims of domestic violence."
"The Department launched an immediate internal investigation and subsequently filed a personnel complaint," read the statement. "A violation of this type is considered serious misconduct, with penalties up to and including termination."
Rihanna, who turned 21 today, and Brown, 20, had attended Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills on Feb. 7 before reportedly getting into an argument on the car ride home. They were sitting in Brown's rented Lamborghini in the city's Hancock Park neighborhood shortly after midnight when the alleged assault reportedly took place.
Brown was arrested the following evening on suspicion of making criminal threats against Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty. He is currently free on $50,000 bail.
Rihanna is said to be working closely with investigators in building a domestic violence case against Brown, who made his first public comments on Sunday.
"Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired," said the R&B star in a statement. "I am seeking the counseling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person."
There has been much speculation about the incident, including the injuries suffered by Rihanna. In his statement, Brown urged the public to refrain from rushing to judgement based on the current information out there.
"Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong," he said. "While I would like to be able to talk about this more, until the legal issues are resolved, this is all I can say except that I have not written any messages or made any posts to Facebook, on blogs or any place else. Those posts or writings under my name are frauds."
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