Rehab staffer claims Lohan assaulted her

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Police in Palm Desert, Calif., are investigating an allegation that actress Lindsay Lohan assaulted a staffer at the Betty Ford Center.

Lohan, 24, has been undergoing court-ordered treatment for drug and alcohol addiction since September at the facility, after repeatedly violating terms of her probation for a 2007 drunk driving arrest.

The Los Angeles Times said the "Mean Girls" and "Freaky Friday" star is under investigation for misdemeanor battery in connection with an alleged Dec. 12 incident involving an employee at the clinic. Details about what sparked the alleged incident and what exactly Lohan is accused of doing were not reported.

After the Palm Desert officers finish their investigation, they are expected to turn their findings over to Riverside County prosecutors, who will decide whether the actress should face criminal charges, the Times said Tuesday.