Naomi Campbell Beats Rap, Not Assistant

London authorities announce they will not press charges against Naomi Campbell stemming from allegations she assaulted drug counselor in October, citing lack of sufficient evidence

By Gina Serpe Dec 13, 2006 9:09 PMTags

Merry Christmas, Naomi.

Authorities in London have cut the assistant-abusing supermodel a break and opted not to press charges following allegations that she attacked yet another employee in October.

Britain's Crown Prosecution said Wednesday it would not add to Campbell's already extensive rap sheet over the alleged incident, in which the supermodel's drug counselor accused Campbell of assault.

The decision was made primarily due to insufficient evidence—insufficient in as much as the drug counselor who made the allegations has since fled the country and refused to return and testify.

Following the London Metropolitan Police's confirmation that no further action would be taken against Campbell, the 36-year-old catwalker expressed her relief at the decision.

"It's been a really tough year in terms of the accusations and stuff like that," Campbell told Britain's Sky News. "It's been very hurtful and blown out of proportion. But I can't pay too much attention to this negative stuff. People have told me for months and years, 'You're a target,' but it's only just kind of sunk in that I am a target."

And how.

While the veteran cover girl was able to beat the rap this time, she still has plenty on her docket.

Last month, Gaby Gibson, who worked as Campbell's maid for just three months before parting ways in January, filed suit against Campbell, claiming the London-born strutter was a "violent superbigot" who routinely harassed, verbally abused and defamed Gibson over her Romanian ethnicity.

The grievance came just a few months after Gibson's complaint accusing Campbell of civil assault, battery and employment discrimination was dismissed by British courts.

Campbell is also facing criminal charges brought against her by yet another of her former maids, Ana Scolavino. In March, she alleged that Campbell hurled a phone at Scolavino's head, resulting in a large gash and the need for several stitches, during a spat over a pair of missing jeans.

The model has adamantly denied the allegations and was in court last month attempting to broker a plea deal with the prosecution, offering to perform community service to settle the case, though drawing the line at street-sweeping duty à la Boy George.

Campbell says she simply needs to be better at judging her help.

"I have to be very careful who I'm around, what I say, who's around me," she told Sky News. "I cannot be with someone on my own anymore, because I don't know the agendas that people have. I've had to learn from my mistakes, but I don't harbor grudges."

Campbell is due back in Manhattan Criminal Court Jan. 16 for another hearing in the Scolavino matter.