South African Court Drops Paris Hilton Pot Charges

Hilton's rep says another person in the socialite's group "did it"

Paris Hilton's South Africa arrest on drug charges during the World Cup was so not hot -- good thing the charges were dropped and cops apologized to the Hollywood socialite.

A special FIFA World Cup court dropped charges of possessing and smoking marijuana against Hilton late Friday, The Associated Press reported.

A rep for the hotel heiress and reality star said in a statement that the incident had been a "complete misunderstanding."

“Paris Hilton was questioned today by police in South Africa on allegations of smoking marijuana," Hilton publicist Dawn Miller said. "However I can confirm that the incident was a complete misunderstanding and it was actually another person in the group who did it. The case has been dropped against Paris and no charges will be made. The authorities have apologized for wrongfully accusing her since she had nothing to do with the incident. Paris is having an incredible time at the World Cup."

Hilton appeared briefly in the South African courtroom wearing an off-white sleeveless blouse, according to the AP. Her hair was in pigtails and she had heavy black eyeliner. When told the case had been dropped, Hilton said "thank you" and left the courtroom.

"Everything is fine guys. I had nothing to do with it," she later tweeted. 

A local radio station and TV news site in Johannesburg earlier reported that Hilton was detained outside the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth, following the quarterfinal match between Brazil and Netherlands.

A police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Hilton was caught with an unspecified amount "dagga," the local name of marijuana.

Hilton pleaded no contest in 2007 to alcohol-related reckless driving and was sentenced to 45 days in jail. After spending about 23 days in jail, Hilton told Larry King that the experience caused her to re-evaluate the role partying played in her life. She said she wanted "to help raise money for kids and for breast cancer and multiple sclerosis."

Investors for Hilton's 2006 box-office bomb "Pledge This!" have been battling the heiress in federal court, claiming that she didn't plug the film enough. Hilton, who testified last summer at a trial over the dispute, previously said that she was dissatisfied with the finished film, but she worked hard to make sure the college sorority romp succeed.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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