Justin Bieber has Fox's Bill O'Reilly on his side in assault case

As detectives continue to investigate allegations that singer Justin Bieber assaulted a photographer last week in Calabasas, the teen heartthrob is getting support from an unexpected place.

Fox TV commentator and conservative author Bill O'Reilly wrote in his column published Saturday that he is suspicious about the allegations. While saying he didn't want to pass judgment until all the facts are in, O'Reilly added:

The odds are that this is yet another shakedown generated by a loser and his sleazy attorney who will game the system, hoping Bieber will throw some money to them to make the annoyance go away. There are now legions of lawyers who will file lawsuits against famous and rich people for just about anything.

A photographer claims the pop star struck him after he snapped photographs of the singer and girlfriend Selena Gomez at the Commons at Calabasas shopping center Sunday.

The photographer complained of pain and was taken by the Los Angeles County Fire Department to a hospital, where he was treated and released, officials said.  

Law enforcement sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing said Friday that detectives were trying to determine whether the photographer provoked the incident and whether Bieber's actions amounted to self-defense.

The sources said detectives had information from the photographer but had not talked to Bieber. Bieber has not made any public statements about what happened.

In a statement released Tuesday, the Sheriff's Department said detectives "are planning to interview Mr. Bieber." Law enforcement sources said Gomez is among the witnesses detectives would like to talk to.

A spokesman for Bieber did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact detectives at (818) 878-1808. Anonymous tipsters may contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

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Photo: Justin Bieber performs Thursday in Oslo. Credit: Ian Gavan / Universal/Getty Images