Winehouse Hubby’s Victim Cleared of Charges
At least one person is making it out of the Amy Winehouse vortex of chaos.
The pub landlord who accepted a $400,000 bribe from Winehouse’s hubby and another man in exchange for dropping assault charges against themclearly neither the best-laid nor carried out of planshas been cleared of obstruction of justice.
The jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court found James King not guilty of the charge based on his claims that Blake Fielder-Civil and codefendant Michael Brown intimidated him into withdrawing his allegations.
The assault, which sparked Fielder-Civil’s current legal mess, stemmed from a June 2006 pub brawl that left King with a broken cheekbone.
Although King initially reported the incident to police, he later attempted to withdraw the complaint after, he claimed, Fielder-Civil enlisted the services of two middlemen to intimidate the barkeep into dropping the claims and sparing the assailants jail time.
King said he was bullied into not showing up in court as the prosecution’s key witness, taking the money and leaving the country for the duration of the trial. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the two middlemen videotaped their interactions with both sides and sold the footage to the Daily Mirror, which handed the tapes off to police.
The verdict doesn’t necessarily bode well for Fielder-Civil, who copped a guilty plea to the assault and perversion of justice charges. He has been in jail since November of last year and faces up to five years in jail at his sentencing, which will be handed down next month.
Anne Hathaway’s Ex Faces Jail Time
Anne Hathaway’s Ex Faces Jail Time
As a follow-up to the story on Anne Hathaway dumping her boyfriend Raffaello Follieri, it seems he could be in some pretty hot water.
According to reports, Follieri has been arrested for fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. And if he’s convicted, Raffaello could be going to the joint for a very long time.
He’s been accused of lying to investors, claiming to be the CFO of the Vatican, and a flurry of other shady business tactics, all culminating in what appears to be the Italian businessman’s demise.
Thankfully, Miss Hathaway has managed to stay out of it all, although the complaint mentions that Follieri used the swindled funds to pay for a trip to the Dominican Republic with his ‘then girlfriend,’ as well as a $37,000-a-month apartment for himself and his ‘then girlfriend.’
In total, Raffaello faces six counts of wire fraud (20 yrs each), five counts of money laundering (20 yrs each) and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud (5 yrs), adding up to life in jail if he’s convicted.
Another Hogan Headed to Jail?
Linda Hogan may be a cougar, but she’s hired a legal pit bull.
The estranged wife of Hulk Hogan has asked a Florida judge to hold the former wrestler in contempt of court for failing to ante up his share of a $4.2 million Las Vegas condo the duo agreed to purchase prior to their separation.
The property was in escrow when they filed for divorce, and a judge at the time ordered both sides to pay half and then include the Palms Hotel pad among their joint assets. While the missus has made good on her share of the payment, the Hulkster has yet to do the same.
In legal papers filed in Pinellas County Family Court last week, Linda Hogan (the family’s legal last name is Bollea), maintained that she attempted to contact her former better half last month but, per her best sarcastic legalese, “the Husband apparently vanished from the face of the Earth on May 30, 2008 as he was, allegedly, unable to be reached by his advisors.”
“In accordance with a court agreement the Bollea’s were to close on a condominium in Las Vegas May 30,” Linda’s attorney, A.J. Barranco, told News Wednesday. “Mrs. Bollea attended the closing and did as she had agreed in court. In just another strong-arm tactic Mr. Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, did not show up and was unreachable.”
The bookers for Larry King Live, meanwhile, didn’t seem to have any problems getting in touch.
As a result, Linda Hogan is requesting that her estranged husband be held in the Pinellas County Jail until he makes good on the original order. Should that happen, the Hulkster may finally be able to have some nonleaked conversations with his son.
Nick Hogan is currently jailed at the same facility.
“The request for jail time is standard procedural language which must be put into all ’motions for contempt,’” Barranco said. “It gives the judge the right to impose jail time for someone ignoring the court’s ruling. She is not asking the court for anything other than to get the Hulk to close on the property.”
Hulk’s attorney, Ann Kerr, did not immediately return News’ request for comment.
Clean Up Crew For Snoop Dogg
Clean Up Crew For Snoop Dogg
While Kiefer Sutherland serves 48 days in the slammer for a DUI conviction, Snoop Dogg will only have to serve 160 hours of community service for carrying an illegal weapon into an airport.
The rapper avoided jail time by striking a deal with the Orange County court. And while painting park benches and raking leaves is not exactly his cup of tea, it beats the heck out of going to prison.
Snoop’s lawyer, Donald Etra, told press, “He’s glad to make a contribution to Orange County.” And while there has been no date established as to when the “Gin and Juice” rapper must begin his public service, one item must be completed immediately.
As part of the deal, Snoop must donate $10,000 to a county charity for troubled children. He was also ordered to pay $1000 in court costs.
Photo Credit: David Tonnessen