• Most Popular
  • Most Shared
A shopper browses the bread section at a Wal-Mart store in Santa Clarita, California April 1, 2008. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

The food-stamp economy

On the last day of every month, shoppers at Walmart load their carts with food and household items and wait for the midnight hour. Is this the new normal in America?  Full Article 

Heidi Fleiss arrested for drug possession

LOS ANGELES
Thu Feb 7, 2008 7:13pm EST
Hollywood Madam HeidI Fleiss poses for photographers at the Australian Stock Exchange in Melbourne May 1, 2003 after the brothel known as 'The Daily Planet' became the world's first officially listed bordello. REUTERS/Glenn Hunt

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss was arrested and charged with possession of prescription drugs and driving under the influence on Thursday morning outside Las Vegas.

U.S.  |  Entertainment  |  People

A statement issued by Nevada's Nye County Sheriff's office said deputies responded to a possible drunk driver a little after 9 a.m. Thursday morning in the town of Pahrump.

Deputies stopped Fleiss and found drugs but no prescription. A passenger, John Owen, also was arrested on charges of being under the influence of controlled substances and possession of marijuana.

Reached by phone, Fleiss told Reuters she was stopped in a parking lot when an officer approached her. She had taken Owen, a plumber, to a hardware store, she said.

Fleiss admitted carrying the pain killer Vicodin, but said she has a prescription, only it was not with her. Fleiss said she must appear in court and show the prescription.

"I'm squeaky clean this time," Fleiss said.

Fleiss was convicted in 1997 on tax evasion charges in connection with a prostitution ring she was accused of running that catered to Hollywood celebrities. Her arrest and trial made headlines around the world.

Subsequently, she was involved with actor Tom Sizemore and accused him of domestic violence. More recently, she moved to Nevada, where she had planned to build a legal brothel.

(Reporting by Justin Kroll and Alexandria Sage; Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)



More from Reuters

Photo

Obama says U.S. will pursue plane attackers

KAILUA, Hawaii (Reuters) - A wing of al Qaeda claimed responsibility on Monday for a failed Christmas Day attack on a U.S.-bound passenger plane, and President Barack Obama vowed to bring "every element" of U.S. power against those who threaten Americans' safety. | Video

Passengers pass security notices as they approach the departure gates at Gatwick Airport, in southern England December 28, 2009. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

Travelers met with hassles

The U.S. is stepping up airline security measures following the Christmas bomb scare. Here's what you can expect.  Full Article | Video 

Iranian protesters take a policeman away to a safe place after he was beaten by angry protesters during fierce clashes in central Tehran December 27, 2009. Credit: REUTERS/Stringer

Deaths, arrests in Iran

Is Iran's "iron fist of brutality" a new volatile phase aimed at crushing the refomist movement?  Full Article | Video