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Judge Tries To Expedite Sierra's Return To California
Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH
Jessica Sierra talks with her lawyer John Fitzgibbons, left, before her hearing this morning.
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Published: March 10, 2008
Updated: 03/10/2008 12:05 pm
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TAMPA - "American Idol" finalist Jessica Sierra, now 99 days sober, was back in a Tampa courtroom this morning, still trying to clear up a bureaucratic mess.
Sierra has been receiving court-ordered drug treatment in California but, her attorney says, California probation officials have been upset that she did not go through proper channels to relocate. Several weeks ago, California probation officials told Sierra she had to return to Florida, apply for California probation status, wait for acceptance and then return to California.
To simplify things, Judge Daniel Perry kept her on Florida probation and said she could write in monthly to her probation officer here instead of meeting with someone in person. Last week, California officials said that wasn't good enough, said Sierra's attorney, John Fitzgibbons.
Sierra, therefore, had to fly back to Tampa, the city where she has had repeated skirmishes in the nightclub scene and repeated brushes with the law.
She was accompanied by a chaperone, Shirley Bennett, the director of residential programs for her at the Pasadena Recovery Center. Sierra and Bennett are staying in a hotel together, Fitzgibbons said.
In court today, Perry said he would help expedite Sierra's return to California by asking Florida probation officials in Tallahassee to send an e-mail to probation officials in Sacramento, Calif. Fitzgibbons said the paperwork could be completed within a couple of days.
Sierra, Fitzgibbons told the judge, has a return flight to California scheduled for Friday.
Gail Reddick of the Florida Department of Corrections told the judge that even an expedited application process could take seven to 45 days, and there are no guarantees California will accept her.
Perry scheduled a status hearing for Sierra on Friday morning, hoping things will be resolved by then so she can return to California.
Sierra was ordered to undergo drug rehabilitation after she was arrested late last year in Ybor City for misdemeanor disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence. The arrest came after Sierra's taping of the VH1 reality series "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew."
The charges also constituted a violation of Sierra's probation. She was previously arrested in a separate incident at a Hyde Park nightclub, where she was charged with a felony for throwing a glass at another patron.
After court today, Fitzgibbons said he hopes the matter will be resolved quickly.
"I'm guardedly optimistic we are going to resolve this," he said. "Right now, it's just red tape and bureaucracy."
Sierra's grandmother, Betty Sierra, said her family is happy with the singer's progress in treatment.
"We're focused on her recovery," she said.
She also said she plans to cook her granddaughter a spaghetti dinner while she's in town.
Reporter Thomas W. Krause can be reached at (813) 259-7698 or tkrause@tampatrib.com.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( guerra ) on March 10, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Who cares!
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Posted by ( Phenom ) on March 10, 2008 at 9:58 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Hahahahaha!!!!!
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Posted by ( ToTheBeachWeGo ) on March 10, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
I don't wish anything bad on the girl and I hope she gets the help she needs. But she's getting all this attention from the media because she was once on American Idol? She didn't even win. I don't get it.
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Posted by ( Things_gotta_change ) on March 10, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is bull.Why should she get any special treatment what so ever.She isnt even a star.EVEN if she was she is no better than anyone else.This is what it is Cali dont want another crackhead they have plenty of their own!!!!
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Posted by ( divanotu ) on March 10, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
She's my favorite part of Celeb Rehab, she's pathetic. No sense, doesn't want to end up like her Mom but is doing exactly the same things...genius.
LOL
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Posted by ( topazorchid ) on March 10, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
"The residential treatment director will stay with Sierra around the clock until the singer returns to California."
Gee...I wonder just how much this is costing us...
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Posted by ( NotPlayin ) on March 10, 2008 at 11:01 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Does anyone knows if she is still pregnant? Just curious.
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Posted by ( tazm531 ) on March 10, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
why is this news? She is just a drunk. there are murderers running around, animal abuse going on right here in Tampa.Yet this drunk always gets front page! she is a has been, (or a never was)Why are there so many people fighting over her, I am sure there are a lot of drunks wanting to go to California for "treatment" Does she have a public defender? how is all this court time being paid for?
what a waste.
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Posted by ( denmar ) on March 10, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Guerra, I'm with you. I can't believe this is still news.
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Posted by ( northfla ) on March 10, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
American Idol to Celebrity Rehab.
There has got to be a reality show in there someplace.
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Posted by ( goodhands33637 ) on March 10, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
No, her folks came out a few weeks ago saying the pregnancy was ended. No details if it was drug abuse induced or an abortion.
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Posted by ( McX ) on March 10, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
She feeds on the news. Her next stop will be the new reality show "American Losers"
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Posted by ( IAM4PSU ) on March 10, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
What a waste of the justice system time. She will relapse for sure. She was the biggest joke of all on Celeb Rehab.Someone needs to brake a bottle over her head......please.
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Posted by ( politicalmike ) on March 10, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Will all you gripers please shut up? The reason she is getting extra chances is because Dr. Drew is behind her and most likely with him, the financial backing of Viacom which owns VH1. Don't be suprised if there is some kind of show that comes out of all this.
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Posted by ( namvet65 ) on March 10, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Can't they find better news to report in Tampa?
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Posted by ( crysntrin ) on March 10, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
i wish her well too, but what amazes me if she were anyone else, she would have been violated by now. Normal joes get violated over stupid red tape all the time, because of our wonderful justice system.
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Posted by ( Quagmire ) on March 10, 2008 at 12:16 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
She looks rode hard and put up wet.
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Posted by ( Been_There_Done_That ) on March 10, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Look at the CVS bleached hair, dye job! With all the publicity girl, go to a hair salon and have yourself done professionally!!!! That DO is ridiculous...
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on March 10, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'll chip in $20 if it helps get her back to California quicker......
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Posted by ( chjh ) on March 10, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To topazorchid, It shouldn't be costing us anything since the rehab is treating her for free. The person with her is from the rehab.
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Posted by ( Veedub447 ) on March 10, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
She is getting help in California and its not at the taxpayer's expense. Why is everyone complaining? I think the judge did the right thing here. I truly hope she recovers from her addiction and goes on to have a professional singing career.
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Posted by ( Mouthpiece6916 ) on March 10, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
to Tazm531: No John Fitzgibbons is not a public defender-see Debra laFave!
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Posted by ( DarthRandall ) on March 10, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Veedub447 - I just truly hope she recovers from her addiction and goes on to not offering oral to cops or smashing bottles over people's heads..........
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Posted by ( ToTheBeachWeGo ) on March 10, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
McX is right. She feeds on the news. Look at her face expression in the recent pictures. And why shouldn't she? The media is following her all over the place. I'm still amazed at the attention she gets.
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Posted by ( Mentallyvexed ) on March 10, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Id still bone her....and Debra La Fave
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Posted by ( Belle ) on March 10, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Isn't this the same chic who was stalked by the guy who just recently was arrested for Swimming naked with the alligators at two in the morning?
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Posted by ( KingofKings ) on March 10, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
topazorchid, the rehab she is in isn't a government run program and like others have told you she's paying for it. It's not like she's going to DACCO or the other government form of rehap, jail or prison.
It's big news because we like to watch the fall of someone that was on tv. She's got busted with coke and getting violent, went on probation, filmed a rehab reality show, did it again, offers oral sex to a cop to let her go, then her show airs. While it shouldn't be news it is because of her Idol past.
For this story to come full circle, we will see in a a year or two she will be know simply as Sierra and won't be singing on stage but sliding down the pole at Mons or 2001.
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Posted by ( buurt ) on March 10, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Mentallyvexed- You have very LOW standerds dont you?
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Posted by ( Kowabunga ) on March 10, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Good publicity will make news but bad publicity will keep you in the news. Personally I don't care if I ever see anymore Jessica Sierra news ever again. Let her go to Cali and vomit in the back of their squad cars.
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Posted by ( lolalove222 ) on March 10, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
TazM531 and mouthpiece6916~ Although Mr. Fitzgibbons did infact defend LaFave, it is quite common for private attorneys to work for the state as a Special Public Defender. This means that they are working for the state on that particular case and are being paid for by the state, even though they may have a private practice as well. How do I know? I work for a defense attorney who not only has his own practice, but also works as a Special Public Defender for both the state and the federal government. The number of indigent criminals makes it impossible for the few actual Public Defenders to handle the case load. Have a good day. :)
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Posted by ( ndirish23 ) on March 10, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Aren't our kids sacrificing their lives in the Middle East????
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Posted by ( Iorio_Must_Go ) on March 10, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Looking at her, I'm guessing her next rehab stint will be with Jenny Craig.
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Posted by ( mariegary ) on March 10, 2008 at 4:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Although the mayor of Tampa wants to distance herself from this relative of hers, Jessica is getting preferential treatment by the court system because of it. Im sure most of us couldnt get the breaks she has gotten.
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Posted by ( Mentallyvexed ) on March 10, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Standards? At least they aren't huge heffers! Besides La Fave is hot and if I dated either one I would get to be on Extra and be an instant celebrity!.....LOL Heck throw Brittney Spears in for a threesome!
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Posted by ( KingofKings ) on March 10, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
lorio_must_go, that's what happens when you put a cocaine addict in rehab, they stop doing coke and then start eating because their appetite returns and they have nothing else better to do than eat. Not saying your not right but people tend to get fat in rehab! Instead of drinking and drugging, they eat hot fudge sundaes!
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Posted by ( slothman ) on March 10, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Come on TBO! Was it that much of a slow day that you had to write about a drunk loser! obviously nobody wants to hear about trash like that when there's more important issues to report about! This is Tampa NOT Hollywood!
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Posted by ( Destin ) on March 10, 2008 at 8:18 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Jessica's "relationship" to Tampa's mayor is only through a former stepmother whom she apparently doesn't have contact with and whose own relationship to the mayor is only via marriage anyway. I.e. Jessica's relationship to the mayor is far too distant to warrant special treatment or consideration of any kind. Jessica's stint in rehab is directly a result of Dr. Drew Pinsky's intervention on her behalf and having a very good lawyer, not political connections. And this latest story is a result of typical govt. red tape taking precedence over common sense.
To those of you who believe no one is interested in her anyway, the best way to prove your point is (a) not read this story and (b) not post about it after reading it. You can say you're not interested all you want, but if your actions suggest otherwise, why should the paper believe you?
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Posted by ( theskinny ) on March 10, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Before she leaves I'd F her too.
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Posted by ( nomad ) on March 10, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
hope she stays clean
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Posted by ( rpagan1 ) on March 10, 2008 at 11:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To all you guys who want to do her, I have a question. Did you see the sex video? I did. Talk about "vagisaurus rex"!!! More like "wrecked"! She's soo nasty! Yuck!
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Posted by ( mrstratz ) on March 11, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Stop calling her "American Idol" finalist Jessica Sierra.
Just call her Tampa Thug Jessica Sierra.
This story gets a zero.
Nobody cares. She is obviously trying to be the next Britney Spears.And local journalists are trying hard to help it along.
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Posted by ( Belle ) on March 11, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Two days and people are still commenting on this, MUST BE A FREAKEN SLOW NEWS DAY AGAIN! L8R
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