NAME: Hugh Grant

LOCATION: Los Angles, California

ARREST: June 27, 1995

CHARGE: Lewd conduct

While on routine patrol at approximately 1:30 A.M., Los Angeles Police Department officers Teri Butterworth and Ernest Caldera observed a late-model white BMW parked in front of a young woman. After a few moments of conversation, she got into the car. The car made a turn onto a side street, parked again, and within moments its two occupants were placed under arrest, charged with lewd conduct.

If convicted of this misdemeanor offense, each could face fines of $1,000 and up to a year in jail. The occupants of the car were British-born movie actor Hugh Grant and Los Angeles native Diane Marie Brown. After his release from jail, Mr. Grant made a public statement saying that he "did something that was completely insane" and that "I have hurt people I love and embarrassed people I work with."

He then flew to London to explain the incident to his supermodel girlfriend, Elizabeth Hurley. Ms. Brown was also charged with a parole violation stemming from two prior convictions for prostitution. Newspapers trumpeted Mr. Grant's indiscretion with banner headlines including "Blue Hugh," "Hugh’s Sorry Now," and "Hugh-Miliated!" Photographers crowded around the gate of Mr. Grant and Ms. Hurley's stone cottage near Bath, England, as he and his lady love ate a tense meal in the backyard. Divine Brown reportedly sold her "story" to a London tabloid for $160,000.

Mr. Grant returned to America to honor his press responsibilities for his upcoming movie Nine Months. Drawing high ratings, Mr. Grant's television appearances helped pave the way for Nine Months to make massive amounts of money at the box office. At trial, Mr. Grant pleaded no contest. He apologized and was reported to have placed himself at the mercy of the court. He was fined $1,180, placed on two years probation, and ordered to undergo AIDS education.

Ms. Brown pleaded not guilty, claiming that they had been arrested before any crime could take place. City Attorney William Sterling stated that he would seek the maximum eighteen-month prison term for Ms. Brown. The outcome of the Brown case had not been decided at the time of this writing. However, she has embarked on a new career as an actress.