Michael Lohan Hits Back At Claims Lindsay Involved In Battery Of Betty Ford Tech
First Published: December 22, 2010 1:50 PM EST Credit: Getty Images
Caption Michael Lohan, Lindsay LohanLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Michael Lohan is standing up for his daughter, Lindsay Lohan, amidst allegations the actress was involved in the battery of a former Betty Ford Center worker.
On CBS’ “The Early Show” Wednesday morning, Michael insisted that the allegations by Dawn Holland, the former Betty Ford Center tech worker, who claimed on-camera to TMZ on Tuesday that she was pushed by Lindsay and had a phone ripped out of her hand by the actress (causing a severe sprain), are not true.
“Absolutely not. I’ve been with Lindsay since the beginning of this. I’ve seen how it’s twisted and turned, and to be quite honest with you, I don’t know how this kind of thing can happen and be twisted they way it has,” Michael said. “For it to be made public like this and made into something it’s not… it’s very trying on Lindsay and I’m very disturbed by it.”
Michael went on to claim that he was there when the incident happened and insisted that Holland’s claim to TMZ, that Lindsay had been drinking before the alleged altercation, is totally false.
“I was there. I heard it. Lindsay, did not — How can you smell alcohol on someone’s breath when they weren’t drinking?” Michael asked, though he did not specify if he was actually present when it happened, or rather, if he was listening to the incident via phone.
While Holland claimed to TMZ that Lindsay refused to submit to a Breathalyzer test, Michael said his daughter actually took the test in the end.
“She tested negative when she took the Breathalyzer… The woman grabbed her arm and she tried to get her to take the Breathalyzer and Lindsay said, ‘Let go of me!’ and she pushed her away, but she did submit to it,” Michael said.
While disturbed by the incident involving Holland, Michael said he is grateful for the treatment his daughter has received in her court-ordered rehab.
“I do give Betty Ford a lot of credit for helping my daughter. She’s made a 180 degree turn; she’s doing extremely well; she’s healthy; she has more clarity than I’ve seen in a long, long time,” he said.
As for Holland, a media firestorm has erupted in the less-than-24-hours since she first made herself known as the alleged victim.
Radar Online reported on Tuesday night that Holland claims she took $15,000 to speak out. The website reported that she told them TMZ, in particular, paid her at least $10,000.
A rep for TMZ did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the reported payment when contacted by Access Hollywood on Wednesday.
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