Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesFinally, a nude photo leak that benefits everybody!
"Because of the interest & the Internet leak, we're releasing the Lindsay Lohan issue early," Hugh Hefner tweeted Friday, a couple days after the January-February cover of Playboy featuring Lohan leaked online—and hours after her entire photo spread starting making the rounds.
Maybe it's someone else's job to call the lawyers, but Hefner sure doesn't sound too bothered...
"The Lindsay Lohan pictorial has been leaked on the Internet & is causing a sensation," the iconic Playboy founder wrote earlier today, predicting that upcoming issue is going to be "a true Collector's Edition."
A rep for the magazine said in a statement to E! News that someone had taken photos of Lohan's pictorial from an advance copy of the magazine and posted them online "without permission."
The rep originally said nothing official would be released until Dec. 15—but that was before Hef's announcement. There's no word yet on just how early "early" is.
Lohan, who squeezed in the Playboy shoot between court dates, community service obligations and everything else she's been required to do to maintain her freedom, let alone her career, has not commented on the presumably flattering turn of events.
And maybe she should expect some roses or other token of thanks to be delivered any second.
"Lindsay Lohan was the top search name on the Internet yesterday. Her issue goes on sale late next week. Hot. Hot. Hot," Hefner continued tweeting enthusiastically.
Not that Playboy isn't still popular, but readership has been down in recent years, so...whatever boosts sales, right?!
Ironically, in the interview accompanying the photo spread, Lohan says, "I have no idea why there is this fascination with everything I do," according to People.
On a possibly related note, she's due in court for a follow-up hearing on Dec. 14.