HOLLYWOOD - Macaulay Culkin pleads not guilty to drug charges
Former child star Macaulay Culkin pleaded not guilty to charges of illegally possessing marijuana and prescription medicine at an Oklahoma City court Wednesday, The Associated Press reports. With his attorney present, the Home Alone star made a brief court appearance to enter pleas on two misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. The actor remains free on $4,000 bond posted at the time of his arrest. Culkin, 24, was arrested Sept. 17 while driving through Oklahoma City en route to California from New York. Oklahoma police stopped the vehicle for speeding and improper lane changing, but found 17.3 grams of marijuana and prescription drugs during a search. Police charge Culkin obtained the anti-anxiety medication Xanax without a prescription. Although Culkin could face up to one year in prison if convicted, officials said the actor was not likely to face any prison time. The AP reports Oklahoma prosecutors are seeking drug treatment as part of a plea agreement that will not include prison time. Oklahoma prosecutors are seeking a plea agreement that would include drug treatment rather than prison time. An appearance in the case has been set for Dec. 2.
Nicky Hilton seeks marriage annulment
Socialite Nicky Hilton, meanwhile, is seeking to annul her 2-month-old marriage to money manager Todd Meister, Reuters reports. Hilton, the 21-year-old heiress to the Hilton hotel fortune with elder sister Paris, and Meister, 33, wed at a Las Vegas wedding ceremony on Aug. 15. But Us Weekly magazine reported Wednesday that Hilton was seen at a political fund-raiser and a nightclub earlier this month without her wedding band and that the couple actually split several weeks ago. "They're working on an annulment," Us quoted an unnamed source as saying. "Nicky and Todd remain the best of friends, but she is 21, and it's just not the right time in her life for her to be married. He lives in New York; she's in L.A."
Fox's Bill O'Reilly in lawsuit mess
Conservative Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly filed a lawsuit in New York State Supreme Court on Wednesday against one of his associate producers and her lawyer, alleging they threatened him with a high profile sexual harassment case unless he and the network shelled out $60 million in "hush money." O'Reilly said his reputation was damaged and he suffered "great mental strain, anguish and severe emotional distress." He is seeking unspecified damages. But Benedict Morelli, the lawyer named as a defendant in O'Reilly's case, turned around and filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Fox News and O'Reilly on behalf of the associate producer Andrea Mackris. Her complaint states O'Reilly's behavior included talk of vibrators and phone sex, references to a ménage-a-trois and stories of his sexual experiences.
Eric Clapton's driver's license revoked
Police in France suspended Eric Clapton's driver's license Thursday after they clocked the rock star speeding down a highway at 134 mph--53 mph above the speed limit, the AP reports. French officials said police stopped Clapton's Porsche 911 Turbo near the town of Dijon, about 190 miles east of Paris and confiscated the singer's British driver's license, automatically suspending his right to drive in France. But Clapton, 59, reportedly took the news well and even agreed to a photo session with gendarmes. The 16-time Grammy Award winner paid a $922 fine and then rolled away in the Porsche's passenger seat--with his secretary behind the wheel. Police said Clapton can still drive in Britain but will have to recover his license through a court hearing.
Judge refuses to lower bail for Zeta-Jones' stalker
A judge Wednesday refused to reduce the $1 million bail for a woman accused of stalking actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. Superior Court Judge David Mintz cited Dawnette Knight's "threatening conduct" and the severity of her charges for declining a defense request to lower her bail or release her, the AP reports. Knight, 33, is charged with one count of stalking and 24 counts of making criminal threats for sending threatening and violent letters to Zeta-Jones' husband, actor Michael Douglas. She was arrested June 3 at her Beverly Hills, Calif., home. A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney's office said Mintz also scheduled a pretrial hearing Oct. 27 and set a Nov. 15 trial date in the case.
Jim Carrey becomes a U.S. citizen
Canadian-born comedian Jim Carrey has become a U.S. citizen, Reuters reports. Carrey, 42, said in statement his decision to pursue dual citizenship was based on his love for the country that helped him achieve his dream. "This country has helped define me and make my dreams come true," the Bruce Almighty star said. But the actor professed his pride at being born a Canadian. "I have no intention of giving up my Canadian heritage, and all those who loved and supported me," said Carrey. "My upbringing in Canada made me the person I am. I will always be proud to be a Canadian." Carrey, who got his start on the early 1990s television series In Living Color, became an official U.S. citizen on Oct. 7.