Dennis Farina charged with weapons possession
The Law and Order actor was charged with three counts of carrying a loaded weapon. All charges come from his May arrest when he was detained by airport security while trying to board a plane. The former police offer of nearly twenty years tried to get by security with a .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol in his briefcase. Farina is looking at up to two and half years in jail and $3,000 in fines if he’s convicted on all three misdemeanors. The first count is carrying a weapon in a secured area. The second is possession of a concealed weapon. And the third is possession of a loaded weapon in a public place.
However, the LA county District Attorney is not charging the 64 year-old actor with a felony which would have carried more serious punishment and a larger fine. A spokesman for the DA explained that the office felt a misdemeanor was appropriate.
About the arrest Dennis Farina has said, “It is my own stupidity to find myself in this embarrassing situation.”
Still in Solitary, Nick Hogan Phones in Lawsuit
Nick Hogan does not want to be singled out by Florida’s Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department. Except when he does.
The Hulkster’s son, currently serving an eight-month sentence for felony reckless driving stemming from a crash that left his friend in critical condition, has filed a civil suit against the department for releasing recordings of his private phone conversations.
News of the suit surfaced on the same day a judge denied the younger Hogan’s request to be removed from solitary confinement because it’s causing him “unbearable anxiety.”
Hmm. Perhaps that’s why it’s called punishment.
Officials said the 17-year-old, whose real name is Nick Bollea, was originally separated from other inmates because he is, until his July 27 birthday, a minor. This, despite him being convicted in adult court.
The rejection and subsequent alone time shouldn’t smart the teen too much, however, as he seems to prize his privacy above all else.
Attorneys for Bollea have filed a civil suit against the Sheriff’s Office for what they claim is a violation of his privacy rights, after the office released a series of phone conversations between the jailbird, his wrestler father and his mother.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Marianne Pasha told News that the family had fairand frequentwarning their calls were being recorded.
“During the phone calls, there is a recording that comes on reminding callers that their call is being recorded,” she said. “All calls from the jail are collect calls and all persons involved in the calls are advised that the call is being taped.”
However, the Bolleas should feel free to go at it now.
“We cannot comment on this case because there is now litigation pending,” Pasha said. “And we will also not be able to release any more calls while this litigation is pending.”
Bollea’s attorneys, meanwhile, also claim the Sheriff’s Department allowed a news crew to film him against his wishes during a family visit. His attorneys claim that none of the releases should have been allowed, as none of the communiqués could be considered “public record.”
“It’s unfortunate that we are required to file a lawsuit against the Sheriff’s Office to compel them to follow the law and respect the privacy rights of a juvenile and his family,” attorney David Houston said. “A judge’s order should not be required to stop the Sheriff’s Office from putting Nick, his family and their most intimate thoughts on public display.”
Attorney Morris “Sandy” Weinberg agreed, adding that “Nick only asks that he be treated no differently than the other inmates at the Pinellas County Jail. Instead, the Sheriff’s Office has singled him out by the unprecedented release to the media of his personal calls with his family and the intrusion into his family visitations by the media.”
In the series of recordings released to the media, Bollea complains about the size of his cell, calls friend John Graziano, currently in critical condition as a result of the accident for which Bollea is serving time, a “negative person,” and also asks his father to secure a deal for him to appear in a reality show once he’s released from jail.
In response, Kim Kohn, one of the attorneys representing Graziano, tells News, “We are not both not surprised by the filing of the motion nor the judge’s decision to deny the motion.”
Steve-O Avoids Jail After Guilty Plea in Coke Case
To hear him tell it, Steve-O’s days of jackassery are behind him and he’s ready for a cleanand soberslate.
The thrill-seeking former MTV star entered a guilty plea today in Los Angeles to a cocaine-possession charge, announcing to the court that he “found God” and has been sober for 85 days.
Attorney Barry Gerald Sands tells News that because of his client’s commitment and time in rehab, judgment was deferred upon successful completion of his treatment program.
“The entire case will be dismissed when he completes the program. It will be like it never happened,” says Sands. “You can’t beat that.”
The erstwhile Jackass star, who turns 34 on Friday the 13th, was busted for felony cocaine possession March 3 at his Hollywood apartment following a run-in with a neighbor.
Steve-O, whose real name is Stephen Glover, will stay in his undisclosed rehabilitation program until the next court hearing on July 8.
Adds Sands: “He’s a happy camper.”
Steve-O Walks the Not-Guilty Walk
Steve-O wore a shirt and left the schtick at home.
The Jackass daredevil was standing tall as News caught up with him after court Tuesday, where he pleaded not guilty to felony cocaine possession stemming from a March 3 bust at his Hollywood apartment following a run-in with a neighbor.
"I'm always gonna be me, but I'm 64 days clean. I feel good," Steve-O, whose parents named him Stephen Glover, told our crew, also pointing out the self-help book he was toting, Bringers of the Dawn, which, per Amazon.com, "points out a creative and positive way to turn on our inner light and underlines the principle of commitment to spiritual growth."
"Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll was something I thought was good," Steve-O said. "I really ran away from my problems, they caught up to me, and now I'm not running anymore."
Today's preliminary hearing was continued to June 3.