LiLo's publicist, Steve Honig, calls the withdrawal of the assault and harassment charges against Christian LaBella 'distressing and outrageous.'
- Oct 1, 2012
AceShowbiz - Lindsay Lohan is not happy when learning that the charges against a congressional staffer, who allegedly attacked her in a hotel room, get dropped. Her representative, Steve Honig, calls it "both distressing and outrageous." He insists she "was assaulted and there needs to be a consequence for that."
LiLo was entangled in an altercation with 25-year-old Christian LaBella on early Sunday, September 30 at the W Hotel Union Square after a night of partying. She confronted the man, who's working for Republican Rep. John Shimkus of Illinois, when finding that there were pictures of her from earlier in the evening on his cellphone.
She reportedly took his phone in an attempt to delete the pics, and got assaulted by Christian when he tried to take it back. He allegedly scratched her and threw her down on the bed before she ran out of the room. She was choked from behind when she encountered him in the hallway and called for help by pulling the fire alarm.
"Lindsay was assaulted early this morning in a New York hotel. While she did sustain some injuries, she was not hospitalized," Steve said in a statement shortly after the alleged incident. "The assailant was arrested and is currently in police custody. Lindsay has spoken with police and is fully cooperating with the investigation."
LiLo's mother Dina Lohan told New York Daily News about her daughter's condition, "She's very shaken up," adding, "Thank God he didn't have a weapon." Her father Michael Lohan, meanwhile, warned Christian, "Wait 'til I get this guy." Both of the parties filed harassment complaints against each other.
Christian, who's also the nephew of comedian Heather McDonald, was initially charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault and two counts of harassment. "They thought I took pictures but I didn't," he said. The charges were dropped since LiLo refused medical attention and did not look to be seriously hurt.
Steve Tomaszewski, a rep for Sen. John Shimkus, confirmed Christian's employment, "While no one from Congressman Shimkus' office has been contacted by Mr. LaBella following his arrest, he has been an employee in the Congressman's Washington office." The publicist added, "Obviously, the Congressman does not condone his actions."
