Sheriff denies Hilton donation influenced decision

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has denied reports his controversial decision to let Paris Hilton out of jail was influenced her grandfather's $1,000 (€748) donation to his 2006 re-election campaign.

The 'Simple Life' star was briefly released from Los Angeles' Century Regional Detention Center on Thursday and allowed to serve the rest of her sentence - imposed for violating probation - under house arrest.