Advertisement

Lindsay Lohan’s ‘freedom and future’ at stake, Michael Lohan says

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

An Orange County attorney hired by Lindsay Lohan’s father will be in court Monday as the troubled star goes on trial on charges that she lied to police in the wake of a car crash.

Michael Lohan formally retained attorney David E. Wohl and his firm, Wallin & Klarich, late last week, said Paul Wallin, a partner at the criminal-law firm.

Advertisement

‘At his request, we will be present on his behalf in the courtroom when his daughter is scheduled to appear due to his concerns about her current representation,’ Wallin said.

PHOTOS: The trials and tribulations of Lindsay Lohan

In a statement, Michael Lohan said the Orange County firm was ‘prepared to take over Lindsay’s defense, and I sincerely hope the court permits them to do so.’

‘I’m Lindsay’s father, and I’m not at all comfortable with the poor representation she is getting right now,’ he said. ‘My daughter’s freedom and future are at stake, and I’m doing what any father would do in this dire situation.’ Santa Monica prosecutors allege that the 26-year-old actress told officers she was not driving a Porsche that rear-ended a truck June 18 as she headed to the set of “Liz & Dick.” She faces one misdemeanor count each of reckless driving, providing false information to an officer and willfully resisting, obstructing or delaying an officer.

There had been talk of a possible plea deal that would have sent Lohan to a locked rehabilitation facility for 90 days, according to several people with knowledge of the situation. But so far, she has given no indication that she is willing to enter that type of program, they say.

Until last month, Lohan was represented by Shawn Holley, among the region’s top lawyers. Her new attorney, Mark Heller, from New York, has been reprimanded by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James Dabney, who has questioned the attorney’s ability to adequately defend the actress in California, given that he did not seem familiar with the state’s criminal-law system.

Advertisement

‘I’m somewhat concerned whether you have sufficient guidance from local counsel,’ the judge said after Heller filed a ‘bill of particulars’ — a motion not used in California criminal proceedings. A local attorney who vouched for Heller has not practiced law for several years.

Wallin said last week that Heller had also asked his firm to help him with Lohan’s defense.

Michael Lohan and his daughter have a strained relationship that has played out in public, with the actress and her siblings frequently criticizing their father in interviews and on social media.

The 26-year-old took to Twitter early Monday — but didn’t mention her dad.

‘Thanks Mr. Pink for the private jet see you all in a few hours in LA,’ she tweeted.

ALSO:

USC student killed in suspected DUI accident in South L.A.

Advertisement

Man faces charges in alleged attack on actor Tom Sizemore

Bill could extend last call for alcohol to 4 a.m. in some cities

— Richard Winton

Advertisement