Costner's Hairy Photo Flap

Tue., Dec. 20, 2005 8:35 AM PST by Gina Serpe

Who knew the celebrity hair business could get so hairy?

Internationally renowned coiffeur Pascal Bensimon said Monday that accusations of him stealing Kevin Costner's personal laptop and digital camera, which contained private photographs of the actor's wedding day, stem from a "misunderstanding."

Bensimon appeared in Aspen court Monday for a preliminary hearing on the theft charges. He turned himself in last week after an arrest warrant was issued accusing him of stealing a $1,500 Apple PowerBook from the actor's home during his Sept. 25, 2004 nuptials to Christine Baumgartner. Bensimon had been hired to tend to guests' 'dos.

"There has been a misunderstanding concerning the events that occurred at the Costner wedding," Bensimon, 44, said in a statement released by his lawyer. "Mr. Bensimon and his attorney are working diligently to resolve this matter quickly."

According to authorities, nearly a month after the computer went missing, Bensimon's son contacted Apple, claiming to be the computer's owner and saying he had forgotten the system's password.

While the Costners had already reported the laptop missing, Apple technicians were unable to cross-check the serial numbers because the computer had never been sent in for service.

Pitkin Country Sheriff's Investigator Ron Ryan says he first heard about the stolen computer in July from a security guard at Costner's Independence Pass ranch. Ryan says he was tipped off by one of Bensimon's employees that the computer was in the stylist's possession.

In Bensimon's arrest affidavit, investigators quote the hairdresser admitting to taking the laptop because he "was angry with the woman responsible for the Costner wedding, as Bensimon believed she treated him poorly."

Shortly after turning himself in, Bensimon was released on $5,000 bond.

When he was later questioned about the charges by the Aspen Daily News, he seemingly disavowed all responsibility for the incident.

"Some people put some drugs in my glass," he said. "I was not conscious for the day that I was there and I don't understand what's coming up now. I did not do anything."

Judge James Boyd has set Bensimon's next court date for Feb. 6, to give Bensimon's lawyer, Lauren Wolpin, time to conduct an independent investigation of the incident and obtain documents from the prosecution.

Wolpin said in court Monday that by the next court date, she will be ready to either negotiate a plea bargain or set the case for a jury trial.

In the meantime, the judge has allowed Bensimon business travel privileges between Aspen and Atlanta, where his other salon is located, provided he leave the court an address and telephone number where he can be reached.

Bensimon also must sign an agreement stating that if he should fail to show at his next court date, he will be extradited back to Colorado without the usual legal delays.

Costner, who has not publicly commented on the arrest, will next be seen on the big screen opposite Jennifer Aniston in Rumor Has It..., opening Friday.