Paris's Grandad Gave Election Cash to Sheriff Who Freed Her

Jun 11, 03:25 AM

Current Headlines: By SHARON CHURCHER

PARIS HILTON'S billionaire grandfather donated money last year to the sheriff who released the 26-year-old heiress from jail.

William Barron Hilton, 78, co-chairman of the Hilton Hotel chain, made a contribution of around Pounds 500 to Sheriff Lee Baca's re- election campaign the maximum allowed by law according to financial records.

The Mail on Sunday examined the returns last night after a friend of the Hilton family claimed Paris's release may have been a 'quid pro quo'.

The friend said: 'A member of her family has been a contributor to Baca's campaign and this may have been payback time. Her entourage initially were confident she would be out of jail in a few days.' Sheriff Baca has faced heavy criticism for attempting to overrule the judge in the case. Hilton left jail on Thursday, having served just three days of her sentence for flouting a drinkdriving ban.

She was originally told she would spend 45 days in jail with no prospect of early release, although the term was later cut in half for good behaviour.

But when the outraged judge heard Hilton had been released to serve the remainder of the 23-day term at her luxury home, he ordered her to be sent back to jail.

He also said she must serve the full 45-day sentence. Sheriff Baca has been accused of favouritism towards the Hollywood elite in the past. Celebrities including Sylvester Stallone and Dustin Hoffman have backed his election campaigns since 1998.

Last summer, Sheriff Baca was at the centre of a row when he failed to report Mel Gibson's anti-Semitic tirade after he was arrested for drink-driving.

Gibson had filmed TV adverts for one of Sheriff Baca's pet causes an education fund for policemen's children. Hilton's early release has led Baca's own employees to criticise him. Steve Remige, president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, which represents 9,000 deputies, said: 'Outward appearances seem to be that the sheriff does lean toward favouritism of the rich and famous.' A spokesman for Baca said he had no immediate comment on the campaign contribution by Hilton's grandfather. Her spokesman did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

Baca, 65, insists he released Hilton because she was suffering from a worsening medical problem. He said: 'My biggest concern was basically her deterioration.' Last night, Hilton was under observation in the medical ward at Los Angeles's Twin Towers jail.

Her lawyers say they will appeal.

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