This month, I was able to study locations where it is safe for celebrities to go without the snap shutter of their human parasites, the paparazzi. I decided to research two famous globe trotters, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

They choose a remote location in Africa at the edge of a game reserve. Their attorneys drafted a $75,000 liquidated damages provision that would be paid by the game lodge if they had their photos taken. Each day Angelina would attend to her worthy charitable works in other countries while Brad would watch the kids. She would also enjoy some great game rides on private conservancies without anyone around for miles.

During their stay at the camp, a group of men pulled up claiming they were lost but there are no roads or other camps out their so they were quickly turned away. The only way to get there is to land on their private air strip in the middle of no where. Any photag who camps out there could get eaten and there is no food or water.

The only thing on the runway is a wildebeests. A photo of them are here: 

Once at the camp, they are completely secluded and protected, surrounded by a jungle. The camp leaves very small footprint on this amazing reserve. Here is a picture of the tents from a distance: 

Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton also went to Africa on a safari and there were no shots of them either. Africa’s private reserves and locations always have security. In Brad and Angelina’s camp, the guests are guarded by Masai  warriors.  They look like this:

Overall, these game parks provide an excellent, safe getaway for the celebrities who want to avoid the limelight while they are on their R & R.

This is an article on Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton and celebrity trials.

August 18, 2010

Celebrity Trials Put Strain on Court Resources
Celebrity-Trials-Burden-Court-System

Celebrity watchers hoping to catch a glimpse of Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, or Khloe Kardashian no longer need to stake out Hollywood’s most prominent nightclubs to get a sneak peek. Lately it seems as if the hottest waitlist in town is for a date with the county prosecutors.

While it may make great gossip-blog fodder, some believe that this steady stream of misbehaving celebrities is becoming a nuisance to the criminal justice system.

Don Josi, professor and chair of Criminal Justice at South University – Savannah, thinks that celebrity trials are a financial burden on the justice system.

“It’s an absolute waste of taxpayers’ money,” says Josi.

But not everyone believes that celebrities are a financial burden on the justice system.

Beverly Hills, Calif.-based attorney Ronald Richards says that celebrities often send a lawyer to represent them when they are charged with misdemeanors, which can expedite proceedings.

“In pro per defendants [defendants who act as their own legal counsel] are a much bigger burden because they are ignorant of procedure and slow the calendar down,” says Richards.

Although “lawyering up” can help keep costs down, public interest can be so high in celebrity cases that additional safety precautions may need to be taken on a day that a celebrity is scheduled to appear in court, which can increase public costs.

“They need extra bailiffs in the courtroom entrance, and police to keep the crowd from swarming the celebrity,” says Richards.

Sandi Gibbons, a public information officer for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, says that fans frequently show up at the county’s courthouses to try to see celebrities.

“We are getting a lot of Michael Jackson fans in the case of the doctor [Conrad Murray] accused in his death,” Gibbons says.

These cases can also attract a large media presence. Gibbons says the number of anchors, reporters, and bloggers depends on the celebrity.

“In recent cases of Lindsay Lohan and others whose ‘celebrity’ is touted all over the Internet, media presence is very, very, very heavy,” says Gibbons. “In murder trials involving Phil Spector and Robert Blake, there was not overwhelming media presence at the trial – only at the verdicts.”

“Other than filing the case, media presence has not been heavy at the hearings for Conrad Murray,” Gibbons continues.

She says the media presence has been about the same as with the Anna Nicole Smith trial.

“I expect first and last days of those trials will be heavy with little or no coverage of the actual proceedings,” says Gibbons. “It will depend on whether the judges handling the cases allow gavel-to-gavel television coverage of the trials.”

In addition to hiring extra security, courthouse staff members may also need to make necessary adjustments to their schedules.

Former Los Angeles County prosecutor Robin Sax says a judge will try to allow additional time in their schedule on a day that a celebrity is supposed to appear in their courtroom. This is necessary because criminal courts are open to the public, so extra time is needed due to the public and media spectators.

“Approximately 20% of the regular judge’s court hearings will likely be rescheduled on a celebrity appearance date,” says Sax.

Sax added that due to extra scrutiny during celebrity hearings, additional clerks may be needed for taking court minutes, and that when a celebrity appears in court, more district attorney resources and staff time are used overall.

“A motorcade took Lindsay Lohan to jail, which was probably a necessary measure for security, but was also costly,” says Sax.

There can also be additional costs after a verdict has been made. When celebrities are sentenced to jail time, they are often given special privileges that are not available to ordinary inmates.

Josi does not condone celebrities receiving special treatment in jail, but believes that it is necessary to an extent. He says that a warden’s main concern is not having disturbances, including fights. Celebrities jailed with the rest of the prison population could cause an incident.

“If the celebrity or inmates get hurt, imagine the public outcry,” says Josi.

He also says those who flaunt celebrity status while in the criminal justice system can also send the message that celebrities are above the law, which can be harmful to the young fans that idolize them.

“No one should be above the law,” says Josi. “Lindsay Lohan has made a mockery of justice, and justice doesn’t allow you to make a mockery of the law.”

But according to Richards, Lohan did not receive a slap on the wrist this last time. “90 days in jail plus 90 days rehab for failure to complete a second-time DUI program” is harsh, he says.

While the verdict is still out on the actual impact that celebrities have on society when they are forced to “face the music,” some say their mistakes could teach the public valuable lessons.

“Something not widely discussed is the benefit that celebrity justice can bring,” says Sax. “For example, the public will become more educated on the justice system, and the trials can be used as deterrents for bad behaviors.”

A copy of the motion for criminal contempt can be viewed here: Francis Contempt Motion

In a criminal case, sometimes discovery obtained by the government which exposes witnesses cannot be used or disseminated in other cases or by the defendant. This is what was in place against the Girls Gone Wild CEO. After the trial was over, Joe, holding true to his reckless ways, used some interviews as leverage in attempting to negotiate a debt with his creditors.

This attempt has backfired and now once again, on June 21, 2010, Joe Francis is looking at custody time.

They had the gaul to sue my client for not investing in the restaurant.  Jill Bigelow, the operator of the restaurant with her soon to be ex husband Gabe Morales, filed bankruptcy for the general partner.  Today, in the Bankruptcy Court granted relief from the automatic stay.  See it here  Relief From Stay

The bank is now going to repossess all of the assets of this joke of an enterprise.  Recently, Jill Bigelow attempted to hold her attorneys hostage by forcing them to go to trial without paying them.  Apparently, she doesn’t know that slavery was abolished with the 13th Amendment.  Instead, the Court continued the trial until April of 2011 much to her chagrin.

Now, with liquidation eminent, the restaurant will go to the dust bin of glorified business ventures.  Lesson learned, don’t sue your potential investors and remember,having an MBA is not a substitute for a law degree.  I should now, I went to both business school and law school.

On his federal tax case, he didn’t appeal the District Court’s denial of his motion for reconsideration.  See prior post here:  http://ronaldrichards.com/index.php/2010/blog/district-court-denies-joe-franciss-motion-for-reconsideration

Recently, he didn’t show up for a hearing in federal court.    His former attorney in Northern Florida sued him for fees. His attorney representing him withdrew and now she is seeking a default judgment against him.  See the story here:  http://www.newsherald.com/news/judge-82974-attorney-panama.html

These are the final signs of someone’s financial end.  I mean really, would you actually pay $10.00 to see video or DVD of college girls showing their breasts?  This  market is getting harder for him to find as well.  He recent tour, was in the famous town of Greencastle.  Do any of you know where that is?  Here is the story on how hard local officials are making it for him to exploit young drunk woman.  http://www.bannergraphic.com/story/1623651.html

All in all, it doesn’t look too pretty.  I will give you more next week.