Local authorities told Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's neighborhood association in Montecito, California, that a Fourth of July burglary at the couple's mansion was likely an "inside job."
That's according to an Aug. 12 newsletter in which a Montecito Association leader assured residents they need not worry their homes could be targeted next.
"If it had been a case of outsiders coming in and breaking and entering, I'd have alerted you to be on the lookout and lock up everything," reads the newsletter, which was obtained by The Sun and excerpted in a report published Friday, Aug. 14.
"According to our very helpful Sheriff Lt. Arnoldi, that appears to be an inside job," the update continued.
Ellen had been filming her eponymous talk show from home for some time when the $27 million home she shares with her wife was burglarized last month.
Though it's unclear if the couple was home when the burglar or burglars stole expensive jewelry and watches from the house, Ellen's public broadcast could have given potential thieves useful information about when and where she might be in the estate on certain days of the week.
Investigators told press last month they believed the burglary was "targeted due to" Ellen and Portia's "celebrity status."
At the time, police also said they were trying to determine if the burglary resembled any other crimes in the area, which is also home to stars including Oprah Winfrey, Ariana Grande, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan.
The incident came at a difficult time for Ellen, who recently became the subject of an investigation herself amid dozens of claims about her allegedly rude or in some cases, "mean," behavior towards guests and staff on her show.
WarnerMedia, which owns Warner Bros. Television, the distributor of "Ellen," is reportedly interviewing past and present employees to determine whether there's any truth to claims the show host has long fostered a toxic work environment.
Ellen reportedly apologized to her staff in a letter on July 30 in which she vowed to "correct the issues" that had made people unhappy.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, meanwhile, is still investigating the burglary. Officials there have warned Ellen and Portia's neighbors to avoid sharing information about travel or their location on social media, according to The Sun.
In a social media post last weeekend, Portia told followers Ellen was "doing great," seemingly, in spite of the hit her reputation has taken.
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