SEATTLE _ The rapper Nelly was jailed early Saturday following a Friday night concert near Seattle after a woman reported he had sexually assaulted her, Auburn police said in a news release.
A lawyer who said he was representing Nelly said Saturday morning his client had been released from jail.
A woman called 911 at 3:48 a.m. Saturday to say she had been assaulted on a tour bus parked near Walmart at The Outlet Collection shopping mall in Auburn, according to the Police Department news release.
Auburn officers took Nelly into custody at 4:37 a.m., booking him into the South Correctional Entity jail in Des Moines, Wash., the release said.
The rapper's given name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr. He performed Friday night at White River Amphitheatre.
The rapper wasn't listed on the jail's prisoner roster as of 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
Lawyer Scott Rosenblum, of St. Louis, said in an interview his client had been falsely accused.
"We're in the initial stages of our investigation," Rosenblum said. "This allegation is wholly and completely without merit. I would be surprised if charges are ever issued."
In a statement, Rosenblum added, "Nelly is the victim of 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."
