Lindsay Lohan’s father made it clear he’s not a fan of Mark Heller, his daughter’s attorney, before the star arrived for her Monday hearing in Los Angeles.
Objecting to Mark Heller’s presence in the middle of the hearing, Michael Lohan asked him: “Why are you still up there?!”
The 52-year-old celebrity father then launched a vitriolic attack on Mark Heller as he left the courthouse.
Michael Lohan held his own press conference after the proceedings.
But as Mark Heller walked by he was compelled to stop what he was doing and lunged at the lawyer, accusing him of using Lindsay Lohan for publicity.
“This guy is trying to cash in on my daughter’s notoriety for his own professional interests!” Michael Lohan fumed.
Michael Lohan also accused Mark Heller of owing him money and made further claims he isn’t licensed to practice law in New York.
Mark Heller walked by, bowing his head, and did not appear to engage with the patriarch.
The scene unfolded shortly after Lindsay Lohan pleaded no contest Monday to reckless driving, lying to police and obstructing officers who were investigating a car accident involving the actress in Santa Monica last June.
Lindsay Lohan was on probation when her sports car crashed on Pacific Coast Highway while on her way to a film shoot.As part of her plea deal with prosecutors, the actress will be required to attend 90 days in a locked rehab facility, perform 30 days of community labor and commit to 18 months of psychological therapy.
The deal followed over two hours of talks behind closed doors in the judge’s chambers between Lindsay Lohan’s legal team and prosecutors.
A mandatory sentence of five days in jail will be included in Lindsay Lohan’s rehab stay, which she will be able to complete in her native New York.
The trouble star was also found in violation of her probation in a 2011 necklace theft and sentenced to 180 days in jail. However, she will be able to avoid jail time if she complies with the conditions of her plea deal
Lindsay Lohan was also ordered not to have any contact with drug users and must submit to regular drug testing.
Michael Lohan was present throughout the proceedings, having secured local criminal attorney David Wohl of Wallin & Klarich as alternate counsel for his daughter should she approve a change in her legal team.
“@lindsaylohan My law firm was hired by your Dad. He wants nothing but the best for you. We will be there Monday to help, if we’re allowed,” David Wohl tweeted on Friday.
Mark Heller had drawn fire from a judge who questioned his knowledge of California law during a pre-trial hearing but Lindsay Lohan did not appear to have signed David Wohl on as his adviser.
Mark Heller has meanwhile been accused witness tampering amid claims he tried to coerce Lindsay Lohan’s assistant, Gavin Doyle, into saying he was behind the wheel during Lindsay’s June car crash.
According to TMZ, the Santa Monica City Attorney “will be launching an investigation and will interview Lohan’s ex-assistant Gavin Doyle tomorrow in the presence of police”.
Mark Heller has denied the accusations.
Michael Lohan’s tirade was only the latest act in a media circus on Monday, after Lindsay arrived 48 minutes late to the hearing.
