Paula Abdul given probation in hit-run

Paula Abdul given probation in hit-run

LOS ANGELES – "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul was fined and placed on probation yesterday after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of hit-and-run driving stemming from an accident in December in which her Mercedes clipped a car on a San Fernando Valley freeway.

Abdul wasn't in court as her attorney entered the plea, city attorney's spokesman Frank Mateljan said.

Superior Court Commissioner Patricia Schwartz sentenced Abdul to 24 months of informal probation. She also was ordered to pay about $900 in fines and penalties and to reimburse the other motorist $775 for the car damage, Mateljan said.

Authorities said Abdul was driving Dec. 20 on Highway 101 in Encino, about 15 miles northwest of downtown, when she changed lanes and struck another vehicle, causing minor damage. The driver and passenger snapped a photograph with a cell phone camera and wrote down the license plate number of the car, which was traced to Abdul, Mateljan said.

Abdul is one of three judges on "American Idol," Fox's top-rated TV talent show.

Associated Press


From http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050325/news_1n25region.html