People in glass houses

6/29/2007

THE media loved Paris in the springtime. Socialite Paris Hilton, usually photographed on red carpets and living the life of the rich and famous at high-priced nightspots, was instead having a booking photo taken and the only bars she saw were in the jail.

When she was released this week after 23 days in the slammer, the frenzy began all over again.

Through it all, Rocky Delgadillo, the Los Angeles city attorney, was center stage. He was standing tall for the rule of law, publicly chastising Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca for initially releasing Hilton early from her sentence.

But as if to prove the premise that folks in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, it now turns out that legal problems are hitting a little closer to home for the prosecutor.

It seems that a warrant had been issued for the arrest of his wife, Michelle, back in 1998 after she failed to appear in court on driving violations. It also was reported that the Delgadillos have over the last three years been late in paying at least five parking tickets.

In a move that suggests chivalry has breathed its last in the City of Angels, a spokesman for the prosecutor said the tickets were all his wife's and she was responsible for payments.

Mr. Delgadillo also claimed not to know of his wife's flight from the law. He says he and his wife are both embarrassed by it.

No kidding. Not only is the wife of the gung-ho celebrity-nabber a longtime fugitive, but it seems the couple's pillow talk didn't include prior brushes with the law.

All this would be of only passing interest if it weren't for the fact that when a prosecutor makes so public a stand for the rule of law being applied to all offenders, no matter their status - thereby helping force Hilton back behind bars for the remainder of her prison term - it doesn't look so good when his own wife, even if unbeknownst to him, snubs a court hearing and is the subject of an arrest warrant.

Ms. Delgadillo hurried into court after the story broke of her years on the wanted list, receiving probation and a fine.

As for Paris Hilton, should we assume that her three weeks in jail have left her chastened and a new person? If so, that would be, like, so hot, you know?