FBI mulls probe into Brad Pitt plane allegations

LOS ANGELES, USA (3RD UPDATE) – The Los Angeles Police Department denied on Thursday, September 24, reports that Brad Pitt was under investigation for child abuse and said authorities had received no such allegations against the actor.

“We have no report in our record for any filings for Brad Pitt, we are not having any investigations regarding Brad Pitt,” police spokesman Lorenzo Quezada told Agence France-Presse.

The LA County Department of Children and Family Services also denied that it had confirmed to any media outlets the allegations against Pitt.

“Contrary to what’s been published in several places, this office has not told anyone or confirmed that we are involved with any specific client as reported elsewhere,” spokesman Neil Zanville said.

He said his office was legally prohibited from discussing any ongoing investigations regarding any clients, celebrity or otherwise.

Meanwhile, in a statement to Us Weekly, the FBI said: “In response to your inquiry regarding allegations within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States; specifically, an aircraft carrying Mr. Brad Pitt and his children, the FBI is continuing to gather facts and will evaluate whether an investigation at the federal level will be pursued.”

The FBI has jurisdiction over the situation, because the alleged incident happened in the air, on the couple’s private jet.

Several media outlets on Tuesday reported that Pitt had been verbally and physically abusive to at least one of his six children during an angry outburst that contributed to Angelina Jolie seeking a divorce.

According to the celebrity website TMZ, Los Angeles police began probing Pitt based on an anonymous tip received by the Department of Children and Family Services, as is systematic following any report of child abuse.

The report came days after 41-year-old Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt after two years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple have been together since 2004 and have 6 kids.

The source reportedly told authorities that Pitt began screaming and “getting physical” with his children on a private jet, possibly under the influence, and then continued ranting after the plane landed.

Since news of the divorce, both have released statements to the media, with Pitt asking the press to give space to his estranged wife and kids.

French actress Marion Cotillard, who was rumored to be one of the reasons for the divorce, has issued a statement saying that she has nothing to do with the dissolution of the couple’s marriage. – Rappler.com