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Monday, February 25, 2008

"I just want to say I'm so glad this is over," said former CBS anchor Alycia Lane, as she left a New York City courthouse this morning. "And I want to thank all of those who supported me and believed in me. And I just look forward to moving on with my life now."

At the hearing (and as we reported would happen) Lane's attorney David Smith and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Michael Greenman agreed to an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal, or ACD. It's essentially a six-month-long slow dismissal of her case. Our Feb. 8 report suggested the six-months was probation, but it is not. There is no court supervision, or reporting to court, during the six-month period, and so long as Lane doesn't get in any more legal trouble in New York, at least until September, her case will be formally declared dead.

Lane's settlement includes one day of community service. Smith submitted a letter from Philadelphia's Project H.O.M.E. shelter that Lane had already spent a day volunteering at the homeless welfare organization. Who knew? A message left for Project H.O.M.E. director Sister Mary Scullion, to ask about Lane's civic service, was not immediately returned today.

Lane, of course, was charged with hitting a police officer in New York City on Dec. 16, 2007.

Asked what was next for her, Lane said, "I don't know yet." Her civil lawyer, Paul Rosen, however, said she "has so many offers coming in now."

On the legal front, though, this is it for these charges, which were changed at today's hearing because the court found the officer's scratches didn't rise to the level of a felony charge.

"Alycia continues to maintain that she is innocent of these charges," said Smith. "The felony charge of assaulting an officer was rightly dismissed. We are confident that as this goes forward Alycia will succeed in her life. It is important that everybody knows that she is not on probation. She does not need to return to court and this matter will end in a complete dismissal -- with the arrest and prosecution being a nullity, as if they had never existed."

And that lawsuit against CBS, which fired her after the incident? It's proceding "full speed ahead," Rosen said.

The four-minute hearing drew NYC and Philly media, as well as celebrity website TMZ. The lovely ex-anchor was clad in somber black, and beau Chris Booker took the day off from his radio show; he was there, too. So were Lane's parents. Afterward, Lane and family were quickly ushered by private security into a black Cadillac Escalade.

As for Booker, Q102 program director Rick Vaughn claims the entire Booker show asked for this day off weeks ago. But station sources told us he was expected to work as late as 5 am this morning, just an hour before his show.

Lane, we're told, has hired big time PR man Matthew Hiltzik to repair her image. Hiltzik, who we believe was the guy who gave us the stink eye as we waited to speak with Smith, handled Don Imus during HoGate and has also worked with Hillary Clinton and another famous CBS anchor, Katie Couric.

However, Smith denied Hiltzik is working for Lane. And Hiltzik did not immediately return an e-mail asking both for confirmation that he's working with Lane, and whether he was in fact, the person staring us down.

We asked CBS3 for a reaction to the Alycia outcome: "As we have said previously, we made a decision in January that was not based solely on the New York incident of December 16 but rather on a series of judgments made by Alycia when she was working at CBS 3.  As we did then, we continue to wish her the best in all of her future endeavors," said CBS3 President Michael Colleran in a statement. 

Posted by Dan Gross @ 10:00 AM  Permalink | File Under: Alycia Lane | 37 comments
Comments   
Posted 10:07 AM, 02/25/2008
Reggie
Sweet. Now that I know that there is little to no consequence for beating on cops, I'm swinging on anyone I see wearing blue going forward. Incredible.
Posted 10:11 AM, 02/25/2008
Steak
Her community service should have been spending the day with Dan.
Posted 10:35 AM, 02/25/2008
Michael
Good luck Alycia. The worst of times often turn out to be the best. That's why they put erasers on pencils. Dan, Thanks for posting my messages. I hope all of you have a good life now that this will all end today. Remain prayerful.
Posted 10:39 AM, 02/25/2008
Maeve
Well she got away with it because shes got money. If I were a cop I would be livid that someone like that could hit one of their own and get away with it.
Posted 10:49 AM, 02/25/2008
Pat
Were you not in the court room? Because surely if you were you would know more details..
Posted 11:32 AM, 02/25/2008
Sinmbile
The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike from stealing bread and sleeping under bridges. But it only lets rich people escape from run-ins with police.
Posted 11:58 AM, 02/25/2008
Jim C.
Classic gossip column "journalism". Those crazy facts (i.e. a videotape of what *actually* happened) always getting in the way!
Posted 12:03 PM, 02/25/2008
S.J.
Community Service should be for her TO STAY IN HER CONDO FOR 6 MONTHS. Thats a service to everyone.
Posted 12:13 PM, 02/25/2008
truth21
DId you see Booker PREEENING her?!! He's like a monkey messing with her hair! Weird!!!
Posted 12:37 PM, 02/25/2008
tcb
To the best of my knowledge, diversionary programs are for non-violent offenders. Former Phillie Jason Michaels also got the same deal for punching a cop when he was drunk in Olde City. How is punching a cop non-violent? Shouldn't punching a cop be worse that punching an a-hole on the street that deserves it? Not to mention that if you are a person in the public eye, you need to hold yourself up to a higher standard of scrutiny.
Posted 01:01 PM, 02/25/2008
Scott
The Sunday Inquirer had a story that there is video that casts doubt of the police report. That’s why the charge was reduced, not because she has money.
Posted 01:28 PM, 02/25/2008
PHILLYCHITCHAT
Still guilty, she did community service. Nothing mentioned about the video in court that I read today. She looks great, but I would too if I knew I had beaten the rap. Let's see if she goes the distance with Booker if she wins KYW Lottery.
Posted 01:44 PM, 02/25/2008
Sinmbile
So her telephone call to Fast Eddie paid off.
Posted 02:05 PM, 02/25/2008
jroll
Innocent people do not do community service, she made contact with an officer, she will not win her court case because the facts are she assaulted a police officer, One finger on another person who doesnt want you to touch them is considered assault.
Posted 02:07 PM, 02/25/2008
jroll
If the video cleared her, she would be suing the NYPD. Instead she does community service, all the sheep better wake up.
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