Hilton Fires Publicist
In her first public comments since she was handed a 45-day jail sentence for a driving on a suspended license, Paris Hilton has described her punishment as cruel and unwarranted. She also fired her spokesman, Elliot Mintz, whom she blamed for getting her into trouble because Mintz reportedly told her it was OK for her to drive. Visibly shocked and tearful, Hilton was sentenced to 45 days in a Los Angeles jail after a judge ruled she knowingly violated her probation on a previous traffic offense by driving without a valid license. At the hearing, Hilton said Mintz had told her she was permitted to drive for work-related reasons. But Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Sauer rejected her claims.”I told the truth,” Hilton told photographers waiting outside her Los Angeles home.”I feel that I was treated unfairly and that the sentence is both cruel and unwarranted. I don’t deserve this.” Her lawyer, Howard Weitzman, has said he will appeal “to modify the sentence.” Mintz took the stand in Hilton’s defense, but his testimony was rejected as worthless by the judge. In a statement, Mintz was said he was “deeply and profoundly sorry” for giving his client bad advice.”Due to this misunderstanding, I am no longer representing Paris. For the record, I have nothing but love and respect for Paris and her family. Paris is a wonderful person and does not deserve the punishment that was handed down by the court. I only wish her my best.”
