Naomi Campbell Charged in Phone Fracas

Supermodel allegedly bonked ex-secretary on the head with a phone...twice

By Marcus Errico Dec 05, 1998 12:00 AMTags
Noted catwalker Naomi Campbell is facing charges over an alleged catfight.

The supermodel surrendered to police in Toronto Friday, where she was charged with assault for purportedly bonking her former personal assistant over the head with a telephone.

The allegations first came to light in October when the bonkee, Georgina Galanis, filed an $8 million lawsuit against Campbell. The suit claims Galanis, 39, suffered "severe injuries" and "severe mental distress" during her employment with the renowned clothes-wearer and sometime actress-singer.

The ex-assistant says her stormy tenure culminated in a September blowout wherein Campbell allegedly grabbed Galanis' throat, slammed her against a wall of their Toronto hotel room and bludgeoned her with a phone--twice.

All this after nine whole days on the job.

After being charged, Campbell, 28, was released on her own recognizance. A hearing's set for December 11.

The supermodel denied the criminal charges through her attorney. When the suit was filed, her spokesperson dismissed Galanis as "a disgruntled employee" trying "to make money at Naomi's expense.

"Naomi will vigorously fight these charges," the publicist added.