Paris Hilton Settles Suit

By: Shannon Gossage

Jury selection in the $10 million libel suit was set to begin Monday, but Hilton and Graff were able to come up with a resolution before the courtroom antics began. Graff filed the suit in July 2005 claiming that the heiress "spread vicious lies" to the media in an attempt to defame her character. Lawyers for both heiresses’ released a statement that read, "Both parties are glad that the matter could be resolved without the time and the expense of a trial. The resolution is confidential, and no one will comment further." It was reported that the resolution was "amicable."

In her suit, Graff claimed that Hilton fed false stories about her to the media. The story reportedly was that Graff went "berserk" after seeing her former beau of two years, Paris Latsis, with his new girlfriend Hilton. It was reported that Graff attacked Hilton is a "jealous rage" and tried to steal her diamond necklace. Graff denied the story and said that at the club on the night in question Hilton approached her and said, "I’m going to destroy you." She then tried to have Graff removed from the club. Hilton and Latsis broke up later that year and Hilton maintained that she had nothing to do with the story.

Rob Shuter, Hilton’s publicist at the time, cracked under the pressure and admitted during a deposition that Hilton had him give the false story to The New York Post. He also admitted that all the quotes that were given by numerous "sources" were really quotes that Hilton fed to him. She was probably very wise to avoid the trial and settle out of court. No word on what the actual settlement amount was that was decided upon.