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October 01, 2005
Early Bird: Terminator secures second term
Schwarzenegger signs paparazzi, health club bills
Schwarzenegger signs paparazzi, health club bills
By STEVE LAWRENCE, Associated Press Writer
Friday, September 30, 2005
(09-30) 17:32 PDT SACRAMENTO, (AP) --
Paparazzi who commit assault in their pursuit of celebrity photographs could be hit with hefty civil penalties under legislation signed Friday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.The measure by Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez, D-San Fernando, stems from an incident last May 31 in which Los Angeles police said a photographer rammed his van into a car driven by actress Lindsay Lohan.
Lohan suffered cuts and bruises and the photographer, Galo Ramirez, was arrested on an assault with a deadly weapon charge and released on bail.
In addition to existing criminal charges, Montanez's bill would allow people who contend they are victims of paparazzi assaults to file lawsuits seeking up to three times the damages they allegedly suffered.
The plaintiffs could also ask for punitive damages and a court order requiring the photographer to give up any income earned from the pictures involved.
"This bill hits the paparazzi where it hurts — the wallet," Montanez said. "Money is their motivation, so taking away their money will be the solution."
In other news, Schwarzi announces that plastic surgery will be both deductable from your state taxes, and amortizable over a 10 year period.........
Posted by cystdog at October 1, 2005 05:22 PM
