Lindsay Lohan has accused Christian LaBella, a Republican Party staff member, of assaulting her at New York W Hotel last night.
Christian LaBella, 25, works for Illinois congressman John Shimkus and has been photographed with vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan.
Christian LaBella was accused of harassment after allegedly getting in a tussle with Lindsay Lohan at the W Hotel in Manhattan’s Union Square, when he is said to have punched her after she demanded he delete cellphone photos of her.
But he will not face any criminal charges, to the fury of the actress, who apparently regards the fact that Christian LaBella has escaped punishment as “distressing and outrageous”.
The 26-year-old actress was involved in an altercation with Christian LaBella after meeting him at a nightclub before bringing him back to her room where a group of her friends was present, according to NBC News 4.
An argument between Lindsay Lohan and Christian LaBella is believed to have stemmed over photos he took of the actress on his mobile phone while at the hotel.
Lindsay Lohan’s publicist Steve Honig issued a statement later on Sunday confirming: “Lindsay was assaulted early this morning in a New York hotel.
“While she did sustain some injuries, she was not hospitalized.
“The assailant was arrested and is currently in police custody. Lindsay has spoken with police and is fully cooperating with the investigation.”
Law enforcement officials interviewed both Lindsay Lohan and Christian LaBella and determined the accusations against him could not be substantiated. They said his arrest would be voided.
An NYPD spokesman said that both parties have filed harassment claims against each other.
Christian LaBella has his own connections to the famous and powerful – his aunt is comedian Heather McDonald, and he is employed as a staffer for Illinois GOP congressman John Shimkus.
On his Facebook page, he has posted images of himself posing with high-profile figures such as Mitt Romney’s running mate Paul Ryan and former presidential candidate Herman Cain.
He has also met reality superstar Kim Kardashian and her mother Kris Jenner in another encounter pictured on his Facebook profile.
Lindsay Lohan reportedly met the suspect at Manhattan’s popular 1OAK nightclub in the city’s Chelsea district.
She is said to have later taken him to her room on the 15th floor of the nearby W Hotel.
According to NBC New York, the actress saw photos of herself on Christian LaBella’s phone at approximately 4:30 a.m. and confronted him about the images.
The website, citing police sources, reports: “LaBella then threw her on the bed causing scratches on her hands.”
Lindsay Lohan is believed to have run out of the room before returning a short time later, at which point she told police he choked her, threw her to the ground and climbed on top of her.
A friend of the actress is believed to have pulled Christian LaBella off Lindsay Lohan, who then pulled the fire alarm for help, according to NBC.
Christian LaBella, originally from Woodlands Hill, California but now based in Washington DC, was later apprehended by police who filed a report on the alleged assault.
According to TMZ, Lindsay Lohan claims he had taken over 50 photos and video of her before the incident.
John Shimkus confirmed that Christian LaBella worked for him, but condemned the alleged assault.
A spokesman said: “Obviously, the Congressman does not condone his actions.”
Lindsay Lohan’s mother Dina told the Daily News that her daughter was “very shaken up” after the encounter, adding: “Thank God he didn’t have a weapon.”
The star’s publicist Steve Honig expressed her anger at learning her alleged attacker had not been charged, saying: “We think it’s both distressing and outrageous. Lindsay was assaulted and there needs to be a consequence for that.”
But Christian LaBella’s uncle Peter Jessop told the Daily News that Lindsay Lohan’s behavior was “shameful”, adding: “She’s using her celebrity to launch a full-scale witch hunt against him just to be relevant again.”
The alleged incident comes less than a week after Lindsay Lohan was rushed to hospital after suffering from a bad lung infection.
According to TMZ, Lindsay Lohan had suffered with a case of “walking pneumonia” but her condition apparently deteriorated, causing her to seek medical attention.
The actress was reportedly taken to the emergency room at Mount Sinai Hospital where she received treatment, including antibiotics.
She was discharged shortly afterwards and is said to be recovering.
