Lohan faces jail threat

Actress Lindsay Lohan faces being charged with assault over last month’s clash with a rehab centre worker.

A two-week investigation showed Lohan broke her probation during the altercation and details will be sent to probation officers this week, a sheriff’s department said today.

A judge has said Lohan will be jailed if she violates probation.

Investigators expect to take their case to the Riverside County district attorney’s office this week for possible prosecution.

Lohan returned to the Palm Desert drug dependency centre after curfew and refused rehab worker Dawn Holland’s request to take a breath test. Lohan is accused of pushing Ms Holland, who then dialled police, and Lohan ripped the phone away and injured Ms Holland’s wrist.

Lohan was scheduled to get out of rehab yesterday, but there were conflicting reports about whether the 24-year-old was released, the latest bout of uncertainty for her.

Lohan has been receiving treatment at the Betty Ford clinic, about 120 miles east of Los Angeles, since late September. A judge overseeing her probation for her drink driving case required her to remain at the rehab centre until yesterday.

Lohan faces an uncertain career and looming legal issues. For months, she has been haunted by her inability, or unwillingness, to shake the drunken driving case that resulted in her two separate trips to rehab and jail in 2010.

Despite the latest investigation, experts say Lohan has a good chance at recovery, provided, of course, that she wants it, changes her party-girl lifestyle and remains in continued therapy.