Gary Glitter pays accusers

Former rock star Gary Glitter paid $4,000 to the families of two Vietnamese girls he is accused of sexually abusing, his lawyer said, in exchange for their cooperation.

Glitter, who won fame as a flamboyant glam rocker in the 1970s, gave $2,000 each to the families of two girls, ages 11 and 12, after they agreed to write letters to the court asking that the case be dropped, lawyer Le Thanh Kinh said Wednesday.

Glitter, whose real name is Paul Francis Gadd, has been held in prison since Nov. 19 on suspicion of engaging in obscene acts with a child, an offense punishable with up to 12 years in prison. He was seized while trying to board a flight to Bangkok, Thailand, from Ho Chi Minh City.

Prosecutors in Vietnam said that the money Glitter paid would have no bearing on whether the case goes to trial. However, Nguyen Van Xung, deputy provincial chief prosecutor, said the court would consider the $4,000 paid as a form of compensation during the sentencing phase.

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FINALLY

Going online: American Cinematheque has contracted with Fandango to provide online ticketing for the Egyptian movie theater in Hollywood and the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, beginning in mid-January. An exact date had not been set.