NEW ORLEANS -- Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said he is taking sex abuse allegations against his reserve deputy, actor Steven Seagal, very seriously.
Serious enough to suspend taping on the second season of Seagal's reality television show "Lawman."
The show on the A&E cable network follows the exploits of the action movie star on duty with the JPSO.
"I informed them today that I did not think it would be in our best interest to continue filming at the present time," said Normand.
According to a lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles, a 23-year-old former model claims Seagal sexually assaulted her at a waterfront mansion in Lafitte, about 20 miles south of New Orleans.
Sheriff Normand said if the alleged victim Kayden Nguyen makes an official complaint with his office, he will order a criminal investigation.
"I will treat Mr. Seagal, no different than any other employee of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office," said Normand. "I'm not moved one iota by virtue of him being a movie star or the fact that the national media has an interest in this case."
Nguyen claims Seagal lured her to Louisiana with the promise of an executive assistant's position with his television show.
According to the lawsuit, Nguyen claims the job she was expected to perform had nothing to do with the show. Instead, the suit says Seagal treated the woman as his "sex toy" and he physically and sexually abused her three times before she managed to leave the Lafitte home in a cab.
"I don't know if these allegations are true," said Normand. "Just as of yesterday, there have been allegations about the alleged victim. I don't know what the final picture of what this story will ultimately be. "
Sheriff Normand said he has not spoken to Seagal about the allegations.
At this point, Seagal remains a Jefferson Parish reserve deputy.
According to the sheriff, there will be no administrative or criminal action taken unless Kayden Nguyen makes a statement to the JPSO.
"If we are going to be fair to both sides, we would require that the victim come in," said Normand.
The sheriff said Nguyen's attorney can also bring the case to the FBI.
