Don Johnson Mad at S.F. Paper
February 22 -- There's no love lost between Nash Bridges star Don Johnson and the San Francisco newspaper that ran two stories about the actor last month.
After an unidentified local woman filed a police report alleging that the actor had made lewd comments to her in a sushi bar, the San Francisco Chronicle ran two separate stories that Johnson claims treated him unjustly.
The actor's lawyer fired off an open letter to the Chronicle, criticizing reporters Andrew Ross and Phillip Matier for writing "sensationalistic" pieces following the supposed Jan. 20 encounter. The letter, which Johnson wanted published as a full-page ad in the Chronicle, is instead posted on the former Miami Vice star's Web site at www.donjohnson.com.
The open letter from attorney Ronald A. Litz reads, "Shame on you and your paper for taking such a cheap, irresponsible, and hurtful shot at Mr. Johnson and his wife and family.
"We expected better from you and your paper. We are shocked that you have chosen to sink into the mediocrity of tabloid-esque sensationalism at the expense of Mr. Johnson."
The newspaper would not have allowed Johnson to purchase the ad (valued at $18,000), executive editor Phil Bronstein — who is married to actress Sharon Stone — told The Associated Press.
Bronstein said that though the lawyer's letter assumes that the reporters are hiding the woman's name, her name was never released by San Francisco police in their report.
A Feb. 7 article in the Chronicle said that the unidentified woman accused Johnson, who allegedly smelled of liquor, of grabbing her arm and making explicit comments about her breasts. Johnson's attorney maintains that his client did not act inappropriately at the restaurant.
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