Ex-Illinois Congressional Aide Avoids Lohan Charges

The arrest of a former employee from Illinois Congressman John Shimkus' office has been voided, officials said Sunday. 

Christian LaBella of Valley Village, Calif. who once worked for Shimkus, was arrested Sunday on an assault charge after Lindsay Lohan claimed he grabbed her in her New York hotel room in an argument over cellphone images.

LaBella was taken into custody about 6 a.m. after a 911 call came from the swank W Hotel in Manhattan's Union Square where Lohan apparently pulled the fire alarm, officials told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Lohan and LaBella met hours earlier at a night club, though it was unclear whether they previously knew each other, the officials said. They went back to her room, when she noticed the cellphone photos of her on his phone and grabbed the device, the officials said.

She claimed LaBella grabbed her and threw her, but later he said she had forcefully taken his phone, the officials said. Lohan was injured but not hospitalized, Honig said in a statement.

LaBella and Lohan filed harassment complaints with police against each other after they were interviewed by police about their run-in, law enforcement officials said.

Lohan's publicist said she was injured but not hospitalized. LaBella was initially charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment.

Shimkus spokesman Steven Tomaszewski confirmed LaBella has been an employee in the Republican congressman's Washington office. He said LaBella hasn't contacted the office.

The spokesman said Shimkus doesn't condone the alleged actions. He called it a legal matter and declined to comment further.