Black-ish star Anthony Anderson accused of assault

Anthony Anderson has been accused of assault. Photo / AP

Actor Anthony Anderson is reportedly under criminal investigation after a woman accused him of assault.

The Los Angeles Police Department began the investigation when a woman walked into the Hollywood Division earlier this year and claimed she'd been assaulted by Anderson last year, according to The Blast.

A spokesperson for Anderson told the outlet: "It's unfortunate that anyone can file a police report whether it is true or false. The authorities have not contacted Anthony or any of his representatives about this matter. Anthony unequivocally disputes the claim."

Anderson, 47, is best known for portraying Andre Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish, and as the host of the game show To Tell The Truth.

The woman who field the complaint first met Anderson while she was working as a caterer at an event he threw over a year ago, a source close to the matter told The Blast.

She then met with him a second time to discuss a potential business opportunity, and alleges that the meeting is where the assault took place.

Further details on the nature of the alleged assault are not clear.

LAPD sources confirmed in multiple published reports that a police report had been filed naming Anderson as a suspect, and that the investigation was active.

The accuser came forward months after the incident because she was emboldened by the #MeToo movement, the source said.

In 2004, rape charges against Anderson were dropped when a judge found that there was no probable cause to try the case and dismissed it.

In that case, a 25-year-old female extra had accused Anderson and an assistant director of raping her on the set of the film Hustle & Flow.

The latest allegation was made public just a week after Anderson was nominated for an Emmy in the Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series category, for his work in Black-ish.