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The Fighter director investigated for groping his transgendered niece

David O. Russell, Oscar-nominated director of The Fighteris reportedly under investigation by Florida police after his teenage transgendered niece (child of Russell’s adoptive sister) claimed he inappropriately grabbed her breasts during a workout session on December 30. According to the police report obtained by the website The Smoking Gun, 19-year-old Nicholas Peloquin, who was born a male but is currently undergoing a sex change and goes by Nicole, told Russell about “the hormones to increase his breasts” at which point, the director put his hands under Peloquin’s shirt and “felt both breasts.” The teen reported feeling uncomfortable in the situation but also made no attempt to stop it. However, there seems to be some discrepancy surrounding what actually happened. Russell told detectives that he did touch her because he was “curious about the breast enhancement” but it was Peloquin that invited him to feel them and that since the gender transformation, Peloquin has been “causing drama” and “has become very provocative and seductive.” Russell’s reps have maintained that he there was no wrongdoing on his part and that he is cooperating fully with the authorities to resolve the matter. Police have told gossip site TMZ that the case is still under investigation will eventually be submitted to the Florida State Attorney’s Office who will decide what charges, if any, will be laid.