Celebrity scandals, embarrassments and gaffes

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Thursday, October 27, 2011

On 11:01 PM by Staff   No comments

Convicted Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff was forced to "let ... go" of his wife almost a year ago and is wracked by "horrible nightmares" as he sits in a North Carolina prison, he told ABC News' Barbara Walters in an exclusive interview.

Though he "can live with" the anger of people he defrauded out of billions of dollars and he is adjusting to the rhythms of life in prison, even at 73 years old, he is troubled by anger and turmoil within his own family.

"Not seeing my family and knowing they hate me" is the worst thing about being in prison, he said. "I betrayed them."

Asked what he'd like to say to his grandchildren, he said, without apparent emotion, "I am sorry to have caused them pain."

As he sat across from Walters during a two-hour conversation at the Federal Correction Complex at Butler, N.C., on Oct. 14, Madoff often seemed to be trying as much as possible to feel no pain, himself.

There were no pictures taken of the session because cameras are not allowed into the prison for interviews with Madoff.

Madoff said he passes the time by reading, recently finishing a book about Wall Street robber barons.

The man who ran a Ponzi scheme of more than $60 billion has held six or seven different jobs in prison, he said, and he makes $170 a month.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

On 8:13 PM by Staff   No comments

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lindsay Lohan sported a new accessory Wednesday after a judge revoked her probation: Handcuffs.

The actress was taken into custody and escorted from a hearing after Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner revoked her probation because she was ousted from a community service assignment at a women's shelter.

"There has been violation after violation," Sautner said.

Bail was set at $100,000, and Lohan's spokesman Steve Honig said it was immediately posted. It was unclear, however, if Lohan had been released.

"We're dealing with someone on probation," said Lohan's attorney, Shawn Holley. "Most people on probation don't always do things perfectly."

A city prosecutor recommended jail time, but Sautner set a Nov. 2 hearing to decide whether Lohan should serve another stint behind bars, where she has been sent four previous times only to be released early due to jail overcrowding.

"If jail meant something in the state of California now, maybe I'd put her in jail," Sautner said...More

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

On 2:06 PM by Staff   No comments

Back in Week 3, Peyton Hillis(notes) sat out the Browns' game against the Dolphins with strep throat. He absorbed a bit of criticism for his decision, with people questioning his toughness and/or wondering if the decision to sit wasn't based more on the fact that he wants a new contract.

Monday's admission from Hillis that he sat out because his agent wanted him to isn't going to do his image any favors. From Mary Kay Cabot at The Plain Dealer:

"By the way I was feeling, I just needed somebody else's opinion," said Hillis. "If [agent Kenneard Maguire] would have said, 'Peyton, you probably can do your thing,' I'd have listened to that. But he is my agent and he does help me out and I think we made the right choice, because I was definitely not healthy enough to play."

Hillis stressed that "it was ultimately my choice in the end. We both knew how sick I was and how bad it could be for the team and for myself if I had tried to play so it wasn't just my agent's decision. It was mine also."

Hillis still frames it as an entirely health-based decision, but upon hearing the word "agent," the mind immediately shifts towards the health of Hillis' bank account...More