LOS ANGELES (AP) - A spokesman for the Betty Ford Center says the renowned rehab facility has fired a staffer who accused Lindsay Lohan of battery.
Spokesman Russ Patrick says in a statement that the woman was fired for violating patient confidentiality by giving interviews and “disclosing a privileged document.”
Lohan is under investigation by Riverside County sheriff’s detectives for misdemeanor battery stemming from a confrontation Dec. 12. A spokeswoman says deputies were called to the Betty Ford facility shortly after 1 a.m. after an altercation between Lohan and the staffer.
Lohan’s attorney says the “Mean Girls” star called 911.
Neither Betty Ford nor sheriff’s officials identified the staffer, but she gave an on-camera interview with celebrity website TMZ.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Lindsay Lohan is under investigation for an alleged misdemeanor battery against a female staffer at a rehab facility where the actress is receiving treatment, authorities said Tuesday.
Riverside County sheriff’s Deputy Herlinda Valenzuela said officers responded to a Betty Ford Center facility in Palm Desert on Dec. 12 shortly after 1 a.m. for an incident involving Lohan.
Valenzuela says a female staffer reported having a dispute with the “Mean Girls” star and that she wanted to pursue charges. No arrests were made and Valenzuela says detectives continue to look into the case.
Lohan’s attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, said in a statement late Tuesday that the actress was the one who called 911 for police. But she declined to discuss any details. Holley’s statement said she was waiting for detectives to complete their investigation.
Its results will be presented to Riverside County prosecutors, who will decide whether to file a criminal case, Valenzuela said. Additional details about the incident could not be released, she said.
Lohan has been receiving treatment at the Betty Ford Center and its facilities, about 120 miles east of Los Angeles, since late September.
A judge overseeing her probation for a 3-year-old drunk driving case has required Lohan to remain at the rehab center until Jan. 3.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elden S. Fox has scheduled a hearing on Lohan’s progress for Feb. 25. He has said he would be willing to place her on informal probation and allow her to leave Los Angeles if she stayed out of trouble until then.
But Fox also said in September that it would be her last opportunity to avoid a significant jail stay. Prosecutors had been seeking a six-month jail term after the actress failed a drug test within weeks of being released early from another court-ordered rehab program.
Lohan’s stint at Betty Ford is her fifth stay in rehab and her second this year.
Beginning in July, she was jailed for 14 days, followed by three weeks at inpatient rehab. Fox agreed to release her early from treatment at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in late August based on doctor’s recommendations.
The battery investigation was first reported by celebrity news website TMZ.
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