Promises rehab blasts Star report

MALIBU, Calif., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Promises Treatment Centers says it has demanded Star magazine retract its story claiming the California facility is courting celebrities for publicity.

The tabloid ran an article alleging the Malibu rehab is suffering financially because people can't afford its $1,600-a-night fees given the current economic climate. The report claimed the facility is offering free treatment to celebrities and that actress Tara Reid took the rehab up on its offer in an effort to rehabilitate her image. Star also said Reid did not have her bags searched when she entered the program.

"Any suggestion that Promises is in any financial trouble whatsoever is patently untrue," the facility said in a statement Monday. "The suggestion that Promises would search Hollywood for a celebrity who needs rehab in an effort to garner publicity is libelous, offensive and without any basis in reality. Promises has demanded a retraction from Star, and the story is in the process of being removed from their Web site. Promises is extremely disappointed that the editors at Star did not attempt to contact Promises either for comment or to fact-check their story."

The rehab also emphasized it is committed to keeping the identity of clients private to the best of its ability and noted it doesn't comment on its fees.

Promises also said that contrary to Star's allegations, "all client belongings are searched, as are all incoming packages."