Paris Hilton’s Slander Suit

By: Shannon Gossage

Last July, Hilton reportedly claimed that diamond heiress-actress Graff had attacked her last summer in a jealous rage while she and Latsis were dancing to Barry Manilow’s hit Copacabana. Hilton claimed Graff went "berserk" and tried to strangle her and steal her diamond necklace. Graff denied the claims and says that after Hilton and Latsis tried to have her kicked out of the nightclub Hilton said, "I’m going to destroy you." Just prior to Christmas, Hilton reportedly admitted that she had made up the story and leaked it to the press.

Rob Shuter, Hilton’s former publicist, said in his deposition that Hilton asked him to leak the story and that he gave the press false quotes that Hilton had fed him. Hilton’s latest spokesperson has refused to comment on the case "in view of the fact that it’s an ongoing case." Graff on the other hand has spoken out about the case. She was recently quoted as saying, "Hilton will learn a valuable lesson about what happens when you try to ruin another person’s reputation. She made a number of false statements about me and she repeatedly lied under oath during her recent deposition. I look forward to her explaining all of this to a jury."

It has also been reported that Hilton was sent a "cease and desist" letter after she allegedly badmouthed promoter Brian Quintana. He alleges that Hilton also threatened his life and he is seeking a restraining order. Hearings for both cases are set for January 17. Hilton’s rep said, "I can assure you that when all of the facts are revealed in this matter, they will show that the victim is, in fact, Paris Hilton."