Harsh words come just before jail time
By Daily Press staff
Paris Hilton, who is being sued for slander and libel by actress Zeta Graff following a nightclub altercation in 2005, was seen partying at a Los Angeles club last Saturday night — two days before the trial was set to begin in Santa Monica. Superior Court Judge Linda Lefkowitz had granted a delay after the hotel heiress’ psychiatrist said his client was “distraught” after being sentenced to 45 days in jail on May 4 for violating probation in her drunken driving case.
Now, Graff and her attorneys — Santa Monica-based Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP — are insisting that the socialite be held accountable.
“If Ms. Hilton was nightclubbing on Saturday night, she should not have been representing to the Court on Monday morning that she was unable to participate in the trial,” Graff said. “Ms. Hilton should be required to explain her actions and account for them.
“Even Ms. Hilton is supposed to be held responsible for her actions.”
Hilton, who starred in the reality TV show “The Simple Life,” was spotted at the LA club Teddy’s, according to US Weekly.
In the lawsuit, Graff alleges that Hilton spread lies about her to the press after the two had words at the London nightclub Kabaret. The New York Post reported on July 2, 2005, that Graff attacked Hilton on the dance floor and tried to yank a $4 million necklace from Hilton’s neck. Graff denies the allegations and contends that it was Hilton who approached her, whispered a mean message and then attempted to have Graff removed from the nightclub.
Graff had dated Greek shipping heir Paris Latsis for close to two years before Hilton and Latsis became engaged to one another.
The trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 22.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 19, 2007. Read the original PDF.