Between Escort and Endorsement

Feb 03, 2010 • Hollywoody, News

For the past 19 years and much to the distaste of Austria’s polite society, Richard Lugner has paid for celebrity dates to the Vienna Opera Ball. The dates — everyone from Sophia Loren to Paris Hilton to Dita Von Teese — are paid $150,000 to sign autographs at one of his malls, attend the ball with him, ruffle some feathers and generally allow themselves to become profile-boosting tabloid fodder for the 77-year-old billionaire.

This year, Lugner is taking Lindsay Lohan, whose handlers have apparently been making it hell on earth for Lugner’s people. Lohan is not allowed to see a drop of alcohol while she’s out with the businessman, his 20-year-old girlfriend, his 16-year-old daughter and his daughter’s boyfriend.

No funny business is expected from the stars, we’re assured.

Information from the New York Post.