Gene Simmons isn’t suspected of anything -- are we clear on that?
Gene Simmons is using social media — with an assist from the media media — to make it quite clear that he is not a suspect in anything having to do with child porn, despite a search warrant that was executed at his home Thursday by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., the same day as the morning-hours search of his Benedict Canyon mansion, the KISS frontman tweeted out no fewer than 17 articles and comments from others about it, prefacing one with a not-so-subtle “FOR THE RECORD.â€
Authorities were saying the same thing, just not as many times: Nobody in the Simmons family is under scrutiny.
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“Members of the Los Angeles Police Department visited Mr. and Mrs. Simmons at their home to discuss a crime that may have occurred on their property last year while Mr. Simmons was away on tour with KISS,†the rocker’s rep said in a statement obtained by L.A. Now. “Neither Mr. Simmons nor any member of his family is a person of interest in the investigation and they are cooperating fully with the investigation.â€
Simmons’ wife, Shannon Tweed, hit the tweet button only a couple of times Thursday night, first saying, “Thanks for your support. We couldn’t be more horrified that someone used our residence for such heinous crimes. Law enforcement is on it,†and then adding, “Goodnight and don’t forget to change your passwords!!â€
On Friday on Facebook, she referred to Wi-Fi passwords specifically. She’d also told her Facebook followers Thursday, “OMG this is one crazy day update: all of our iPhones iPads and computers are cleared. Now the real investigation can start!â€
On Friday morning, Tweed also called out KTLA News over details allegedly included in one of its reports. “[Y]ou are mistaken ...,†she tweeted at the station. “We’d be happy to discuss when we’re allowed.â€
Here’s the thing: Simmons’ rep said the family had been asked not to discuss the situation publicly, so as not to compromise the investigation.
ICAC task forces — there are 61 of them nationwide — are federally funded and help local authorities investigate situations involving “offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems or computer technology to sexually exploit children.â€
Follow Christie D’Zurilla on Twitter @theCDZ and Google+. Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Twitter @LATcelebs.
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