The price of justice: $1000

Fancy that, eh? In a completely unconnected way, Lee Baca, the Sheriff who mistook his hat for a court and sent Paris Hilton home is the same Lee Baca who accepted a $1000 campaign donation from William Barron Hilton. That, let us be very clear, is a campaign donation.

Baca has also pocketed re-election cash, according to Radar Online, from Rupert Murdoch, Les Moonves, Ron Meyer, Brad Grey, Steven Segal, and (somewhat surprisingly) Burt Bacharach. It seems Baca being at the heart of a press squall is something a summer tradition in LA. Last year, his department issued statements on Mel Gibson's arrest claiming that Gibson was treated "without incident or special treatment"; the surprising overloooking of his drunken anti-semitic ranting was put down at the time to Gibson having recorded videos of support for Baca, something the Sheriff denied:

Gibson, a Roman Catholic, has filmed public service announcements for Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca's relief committee dressed in a sheriff's uniform. Levin told CBS News he believes the department changed reports and covered up for Gibson because of his support for Baca.

"There is no cover-up," Baca told the Los Angeles Times. "Trying someone on rumor and innuendo is no way to run an investigation, at least one with integrity."

So, that's a doctor who was handling documents positive to Michael Jackson shortly before they leaked and a Sheriff bankrolled by Rupert Murdoch who may or may not have been doing favours for Mel Gibson. It's all very starry before you even add in the Hiltons and their cheques and mystery diseases.

[Thanks to Karl T for the link]