WASHINGTON - One of Southern Illinois' Congressman John Shimkus' paid DC interns spent the weekend in New York City, and ended up at police headquarters after a scuffle with paparazzi-hounded actress Lindsay Lohan.
New York Daily News reports that 25 year old Christian LaBella was arrested for assaulting Lohan in an argument over LaBella's cell phone. LaBella had been partying with Lohan and friends at two New York City nightclubs, where LaBella was allegedly taking cell phone photos of Lohan and emailing them to friends.
After the clubs closed at 4 am Sunday morning, LaBella went with Lohan and some friends to her hotel room, where Lohan told police she discovered LaBella's photos. She grabbed his phone and after locking herself in the bathroom, escaped the 15th floor hotel room with a companion. Lohan said LaBella attacked her in the hall, trying to get back his phone, when she grabbed a fire alarm for help. LaBella escaped through a stairway, where he was locked in when the fire alarm was activated. Police caught him when the stairwell doors unlocked.
Lohan eventually dropped assault charges against LaBella, although both Lohan and LaBella have filed harrassment complaints against each other. Lohan's family members told reporters the actress was shaken up after the incident. Earlier this week, Lohan was involved in a minor auto accident.
Congressman Shimkus' office confirmed LaBella is a part-time employee and that the congressman does not condone LaBella's behavior. The New York Daily News' account features photos lifted from LaBella's Facebook page with Hollywood star Kim Kardasian and GOP Vice-Presidential candidate Paul Ryan.