EXCLUSIVE: Betty Ford Worker Says TMZ Paid Her At Least $10K To Talk About Lindsay Lohan Before She Was Fired
Dec. 22 2010, Published 9:30 a.m. ET
Dawn Holland, the woman alleging Lindsay Lohan attacked her in a drunken rampage, has told Breaking Celebrity News exclusively that TMZ paid her at least $10,000 for an interview and photos of injuries – making the financial agreement while she was still a healthcare worker, in violation of federal law.
In an unpaid interview with Breaking Celebrity News, Holland said she made an agreement with TMZ, the entertainment news website, to speak about a violent incident with the 24-year-old actress. Because she is a healthcare worker that agreement could put her and the website in violation of HIPAA laws and subject them to criminal prosecution.
Holland worked as a clinical technician at the sober house treating Lohan. She said she was fired after she violated patient confidentiality by speaking to TMZ, as Breaking Celebrity News first revealed.
It is not known whether she and/or TMZ will be criminally prosecuted.
“Yes ma'am,” the ex-Betty Ford Clinic staffer replied, when asked by a Breaking Celebrity News reporter if she was paid to speak out about her clash with Lohan in the early hours of December 12.
“I’m not going to say (how much).”
But when questioned by Breaking Celebrity News if “it was somewhere between $10,000 and $15,000”, Holland said: “If I give you a ballpark then... well, then... yeah (it was between $10K and $15K).”
The agreement was made before she was fired and while she was employed as a health care worker.
Breaking Celebrity News has also learned that Holland has posed for series of photographs showing the injuries she claims she suffered by Lohan, including a sprained wrist.
The images are currently being shopped to media outlets around the world.
TMZ has not returned Breaking Celebrity News’s calls for comment.
RELATED STORIES:
EXCLUSIVE: Rehab Worker Who Talked About Lindsay Lohan Says Betty Ford Fired Her
EXCLUSIVE: Lindsay Lohan Could Sue Betty Ford & Staffer For Millions, Declares Dad Michael
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
