Lindsay Lohan to Sue Jewelry Store

Lindsay Lohan to Sue Jewelry Store for Selling Surveillance Video

Lindsay Lohan plans to sue the Los Angeles jewelry store that released surveillance footage of her visit when she allegedly walked off with a $2,500 necklace, sources told TMZ Tuesday.

The jewelry store, Kamofie & Co., reportedly sold the video of Lohan to "Entertainment Tonight" for $40,000. The celebrity TV program has exclusive rights to the tape for one week and the jeweler is expected to rake in even more cash when the footage is sold to other media outlets.

But sources close to Lohan said the store did not have permission to use her image for profit. The 24-year-old actress met with her lawyer Tuesday, reportedly to discuss a potential lawsuit.
In the 42-minute video in question, Lohan is seen walking into the ritzy store with a male companion and trying on various trinkets, including a necklace.

The "Mean Girls" star spends time at the counter with her friend and a store employee and appears to try on a ring at one point. Later in the footage, she walks away from the counter looking at something in her hands.

"The tape speaks for itself. Anyone who is interested in the case should watch the tape," the jeweler said in a statement about the release of the footage.

In addition to the potential lawsuit, Lohan has another looming legal decision upon her this week -- she must determine if she wants to cop a deal, possibly getting three to six months jail time, in exchange for pleading guilty to a felony grand-theft charge in connection with the alleged theft.

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Lindsay Lohan in low cut fancy pants to court

Lindsay Lohan wears low cut fancy pants to court. Who decides her attire?

Egyptian civilians were still in the throes of protest and South Korea agreed to resume discussions with North Korea over humanitarian issues, but all Hollywood could talk about that day was The. White. Dress. (Idiocracy, guys.

It’s coming! Yay humanity!) You know, the Kimberly Ovitz-designed dress Lindsay Lohan wore to her arraignment, during which she pleaded not guilty to felony grand theft charges, filed after the actress was accused of stealing a $2,500 necklace in Venice, Calif.

Supporters felt the white was wise to enforce her innocent claims; detractors felt an outfit that confined her curves was too revealing for a court appearance that could lead to the confines of a jail cell.

Today, however, Lohan showed up to her grand theft hearing wearing a much more conservative outfit (reportedly made up of Chanel, Lanvin, YSL, and Tres Glam jewelry), despite a low-cut shirt, prompting many to wonder whether she intentionally covered up after her last dress incited anger in some observers.

Though Lohan’s camp isn’t commenting on the matter, L. Londell McMillan — a lawyer for celebrities like Michael Jackson, Prince, Spike Lee, Russell Simmons, and Kanye West — tells EW that it’s not an unthinkable possibility. “I think it was perhaps a response to the public, but more in direct relation to her lawyer [taking] control over all the elements and aspects of the case,” he says. “I think it was an improvement, because it showed that there was respect for the court of law.”

But does a celebrity’s lawyer have a say over what their clients wear to court? According to McMillan, it’s a balancing act between the lawyer, the celebrity, and their stylist. “On one hand, you have a stylist [that] looks to really push the concept that no press is bad press and the world stage is upon them and they want to look fashionable and stylish, because they’re going to get the cameras and the front pages of magazines,” he says.

“But from a legal point-of-view, you don’t want to send the wrong signal to the judge and the jury. You don’t want to give the signal that you’re here as a publicity stunt and you’re not really remorseful and not seriously concerned with the case. You want to show contrition at times, and not be the most stylish flower in the garden.”

Ultimately, however, the celebrity gets the final say, forcing his/her legal team to trust in the actor or actress’ judgment. Not that a celebrity will necessarily torpedo their case if they wear a provocative outfit to court — McMillan says it’s rare that someone’s clothing could affect the legal process that much, even if it affects their public image.

(“I didn’t think Michael Jackson’s pajamas was a great look, but it didn’t hurt him either,” he says.) Lohan should, however, continue to be mindful of her wardrobe: “I love Lindsay Lohan. She’s a rebel,” McMillan says. “But she might want to tone down some of the outfits in court.”

Lindsay Lohan Trades in Mini Dress for $8,000

Lindsay Lohan Trades in Mini Dress for $8,000 Chanel Ensemble for Wednesday Court Appearance.

After causing an internet implosion -- and inadvertently spurring a fashion craze -- with her choice in attire for her February 9 court appearance, Lohan toned it down, marginally, for her hearing this morning.

Lohan arrived for her court date in a low-cut black top and high-waisted white pants -- both Chanel -- which gave her the appearance of a Las Vegas hostess from the waist up and a Real Housewife of Beverly Hills from the waist down. And that look came with a high price tag, as Radar Online estimates the ensemble costs in the range of $8,000-$11,560.

TMZ reports that she "ultimately picked the [outfit] she thought was the most reserved," which certainly leads one to wonder what the other options looked like. Lohan watchers on the internet had mixed feelings.

Lawyer-to-the-stars L. Londell McMillan told EW's PopWatch blog Lohan's look was "an improvement" on her previous, more controversial one and " showed that there was respect for the court of law." The Daily Show co-creator Lizz Winstead quipped on Twitter, "After seeing Lindsay Lohan today, I realize I don't have an outfit that seemlessly transitions from court to night." And The View's Joy Behar tweeted, "Lindsay dressed more conservatively in court 2day. Chanel pants, top & YSL shoes. Not sure what store she borrowed her necklace from," alluding to the reason the actress was being endlessly discussed in the first place.

The form-fitting white $575 Kimberly Ovitz dress which Lohan wore two weeks ago was widely derided as inappropriate for the courtoom (it also sold out immediately online). Lohan addressed the "controversy" on twitter where she said "what i wear to court shouldnt be front page news. it's just absurd."

Superior Court judge Keith Schwartz told Lohan that if she accepts the plea deal offered up by the prosecution in the jewelry theft case, she will be going to jail for at least some period of time.

"This case does involve jail time. Period," Schwartz told her. "If you plead in front of me -- if this case resolves in front of me -- you are going to jail. Period. It may be an issue as to amount of time."

Schwartz added, "There are things you need to understand. I've never met you, you've never met me outside of this court to my knowledge. I don't care that you're Lindsay Lohan."

Lohan has maintained she did not steal the $2,500 necklace from the Venice, California gift shop. She was told to return to court on March 10 at which point she can either accept the plea deal (and jail time) or move ahead with a trial. Of course the real question is what she will wear then.

Dave Lindahl

3 Years in Prison For Lindsay Lohan?

Lindsay Lohan Facing Three Years in State Prison

Lindsay Lohan Facing Three Years in State Prison If Convicted in Jewelry Theft

Lindsay Lohan hit headlines (again) last week when she was accused of stealing a $2500 necklace from a Venice boutique, which she claimed she simply borrowed and her stylist forgot to return, but the matter is turning into something much bigger than a mere miscommunication.

Lohan will be charged with felony grand theft as early as next week, according to TMZ, and faces a maximum three years in a state prison if convicted.

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, Steve Cron, told us she may very well be prosecuted over the incident - although it is hardly likely she would be sentenced to a full three years.

"There is a likelihood. It seems to me that she got caught stealing that necklace and it appears that somebody talked her into returning it a week later and had someone drop it off but it was too little too late. She had already stolen it, so I think she will get prosecuted," Cron surmised.

"It's unlikely that she is going to get 3 years in state prison because although she's screwed up repeatedly on probation, but she certainly can get a lot more time in county jail.

Judge Fox could give her 6 months for violating probation in Beverly Hills and another judge who hears the case on grand theft could decide to send her for more time in county jail or he could send her to state prison. It's more likely that she is going to go to an extended period in county jail. It wouldn't be 30 or 60 days, it's going to be a substantially longer sentence than that."

However, Lohan's camp is maintaining that she is absolutely innocent.

"We vehemently deny these allegations and, if charges are filed, we will fight them in court, not in the press," Lohan's attorney Shawn Chapman Holley told TMZ in a statement.

Furthermore, sources close to the troubled star told us she still isn't upset by the hoopla and is used to being "taken advantage of" by people and companies for the sake of PR.

"This whole story is crazy. $2500 is tip money to Lindsay, if she wanted the necklace that badly she would have bought it," said our insider. "She's going to get to the bottom of this - it wasn't stolen."

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Dave Lindahl Scam

Lindsay Lohan Faces Arrest Warrant

Lindsay Lohan Faces Arrest Warrant After Flunking Drug Test.

Lindsay Lohan News Updates! A Beverly Hills judge has issued a warrant for the arrest of Lindsay Lohan, the 24-year-old actress who was reported last week to have failed a drug test.

Lohan has been ordered to appear Friday morning before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Elden Fox, ABC News was told. She will not be taken into custody before then, though she could face additional jail time -- 30 days or more -- for flunking the court-ordered test.

TMZ.com said she tested positive for cocaine. Lohan, who has struggled with drug and alcohol problems, admitted on Twitter Friday that she had flunked a random test, but has said she was working hard to stay clean.

Lohan left a rehab program at UCLA Medical Center on Aug. 24 after 23 days of treatment. Earlier in August, she was released from jail after serving just 13 days of a 90 day sentence for violating her probation stemming from a 2007 DUI case.

At a hearing last month, Judge Fox ordered Lohan to go to weekly psychotherapy and behavioral therapy sessions, in addition to 12-step dependency program meetings and mandatory drug tests. Fox said if Lohan was found to be in violation of the terms of her probation, she could go to jail again for 30 days.

The failed drug test reports are the latest to plague Lohan. Last month, a papparzzo claimed he saw her hit a baby's stroller with her Maserati and drive away. No charges were filed relating to the alleged incident.

Even before she hit the bottom of the barrel, Lindsay Lohan was apparently plotting a way to crawl back to the top.

In an interview with Vanity Fair magazine, done prior to her latest jail and rehab stint, Lohan said she wants A-list status in Hollywood again, by any means necessary.

"I want my career back," she said. "I want the respect that I had when I was doing great movies. And if that takes not going out to a club at night, then so be it. It's not fun anyway.

"I don't care what anyone says. I know that I'm a damn good actress," she continued. "And I know that in my past I was young and irresponsible, but that's what growing up is. You learn from your mistakes."

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