James Bond director arrested in drag in US prostitution sting

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The double life of Lee Tamahori
05 February 2006
By ERIC MUNN

Kiwi director Lee Tamahori faces fresh humiliation as revelations of his double life emerge.

The Once Were Warriors film- maker was last night lying low in the wake of embarrassing allegations that he was caught dressed in drag trying to sell himself for sex to an undercover police officer in Los Angeles.

Residents of Tolaga Bay, north of Gisborne, where Tamahori has a house, were yesterday protective of the Hollywood director and reluctant to talk to the media about his arrest.

One said Tamahori's private life was his own business and when he visited he was laid back and "no trouble... he comes and goes, he's no problem."

Another who had done some work around Tamahori's homestead - a 770ha farm which he described as a "magic spot" right by the beach - said he was a good boss who invited him in for a cup of tea and "didn't put on like he was a big movie star".

Los Angeles sources close to the acclaimed 55-year-old say Tamahori is known to enjoy wearing latex and frequenting fetish clubs with his girlfriend, Croatian actress Sasha Turjak.

They say he also enjoys dressing up in uniforms and allegedly once took Turjak and another girl to his hotel bedroom.

Charges were laid against Tamahori in Los Angeles on January 8 after police say he donned a black wig and an off-the- shoulder dress to approach an undercover officer with offers of performing a sex act for money.

"No one was surprised when Lee was arrested for a sex offence," said a friend of Tamahori in LA.

"He's always been kinky in his private life, but the transexual thing was a shock. He's never shown any interest in men sexually."

The friend said during filming of the Bond movie Die Another Day, Tamahori used to dress up in latex and go to fetish clubs with Turjak.

"He was a regular on the scene and it was an open secret. He definitely liked the alternative side of sex with black, tight latex costumes, uniforms and so on...

"But the amazing thing is he is a really professional director and his fetishes never spilled into work. He is the consummate professional and very well respected in Hollywood. Everyone knows his sexual likings and no one really minds because he's such a great guy."

A woman at the home listed to Tamahori in Los Angeles - believed to be his ex-wife - yesterday reacted furiously as she was approached about the scandal. The middle-aged woman refused to speak and slammed her door shut.

A next-door neighbour - who asked not to be named - said the couple had split but remained close friends.

"I could not imagine him doing something like that," the shocked neighbour said. "I see him here often and he's very nice." Police have caught other Hollywood stars in the same red-light district where Tamahori was arrested.

Los Angeles Police spokesman Jason Lee said: "The sting Mr Tamahori was caught up in is part of our ongoing operations in West Hollywood to stop prostitution in the area."

Actor Hugh Grant was arrested in the same area while receiving oral sex from prostitute Devine Brown in his car in 1995. And in 1997 comedian Eddie Murphy was accused of picking up a transsexual male prostitute in the same street.

"It's not like we go out with the intention of targeting stars," said Lee. "In fact, the arresting officer had no idea who Mr Tamahori was - especially with him being dressed up as a woman."

Tamahori's next court appearance is on February 24. He has been freed on $US2000 ($2900) bail, and faces up to six months in jail and a $US1000 fine if convicted.

– Additional reporting by Irene Chapple

source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3562814a10,00.html

[divx]

Yeah throwing a guy like him in prison will do everyone good! The American streets will be safer tonight!

We should start inviting VIP's w/cash to Canada where prostitution is LEGAL.

Since when?