Rapper Nelly arrested in Auburn for alleged rape on tour bus

By Stacia Glenn

The News Tribune

Rapper Nelly was arrested in Auburn early Saturday after a woman claimed he raped her on a tour bus.

Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes Jr., performed at the White River Amphitheatre Friday night with country music act Florida Georgia Line.

A woman called police about 3:45 a.m. to report that she had was sexually assaulted on the tour bus.

Police said the bus was parked in the 700 block of Outlet Collection Drive Southwest at the time of the alleged assault.

Nelly, 42, was booked into jail on suspicion of second-degree rape.

Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, told the Associated Press the accusation is false.

“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,” Rosenblum said in an email.

Nelly was scheduled to perform in Ridgefield Saturday night. It’s unclear whether he will still appear at the show.

Nelly is a three-time Grammy winner, including for the song “Hot in Herre,” which won the best male rap solo performance award in 2002. Nelly is also known for the hits “My Place” and “Over and Over.” He appeared in the 2005 film “The Longest Yard.”

The following year he shared a Grammy for the song “Shake Ya Tailfeather” with Murphy Lee and Sean Combs.