Fleiss Ordered to Reveal Finances in Slander Suit
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled Monday that former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss must disclose her finances to two police officers who have filed a slander suit against her.
Officers Patricia Corso and Samuel Lee II contend that Fleiss went on a radio program and made false statements about them, including remarks of a sexual nature.
Lee’s father, a coach of the U.S. Olympic diving team for more than 10 years, also filed a slander suit against Fleiss over a February 1996 broadcast on KROQ.
The suit charges that Fleiss said the Lees were homosexuals and that Corso “is concerned about her own sexuality” and “abuses police authority.”
Samuel Lee II works for the Beverly Hills Police Department and Corso is with the LAPD. Trial is set for July 9.
Bob Thompson, attorney for the plaintiffs, said he wants to know about Fleiss’ financial condition so jurors will not be delayed if they have to determine damages.
Fleiss’ attorney, Raymond Kim, argued that the request is premature, predicting his client would prevail in the slander suit.
Fleiss was sentenced on Jan. 27 in federal court to 37 months in prison for tax evasion and money laundering. She pleaded guilty a month later to a single count of attempted pandering. She was sentenced to 18 months in state prison, to be served concurrently with her federal sentence.
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