Heidi Fleiss: The Million Dollar Madam
Moving On
Heidi Fleiss & Victoria Sellers
In September 1999, after three years in the Dublin, California, federal penitentiary Heidi was released from prison. She remained on state parole and federal probation. She was also expected to perform 300 hours of community service, which included her working for seven months at a downtown L.A. soup kitchen.
According to Emily Farache's article "Heidi Fleiss — Broke in Beverly Hills," three weeks after her release Heidi declared bankruptcy, listing debts "totaling more than $269,000." Nevertheless, with her parents' financial assistance, Heidi was able to afford the lifestyle to which she was accustomed. Heidi, with a great deal of help from her parents, bought a new house in Hollywood and a Porsche sports car. Moreover, she changed her image by having cosmetic surgery to her face and bust. Despite her physical changes, Heidi was still the same woman at heart. She was as ambitious as ever, eager to make something of her life.
She worked at a series of jobs, which included a talk-show hostess and sex tips advisor on a popular website. She also made a sex tips video with her friend Victoria Sellers in 2001, and the following year she appeared in the comedy movie You'll Never Wiez in This Town Again, with Ellen Degeneres. In 2003, she published the long-awaited account of her life titled Pandering, which proved to be a big success. Everything was turning out well for Heidi, except her love life.
happy
In 2001, Heidi began dating actor Tom Sizemore, 41, known for his roles in the movies Black Hawk Down, Heat and Saving Private Ryan. She eventually moved in with him and for a period of time their relationship was successful. She claimed in her interview with Larry King that they were "happy together." However, it wasn't long before their relationship showed signs of deterioration.
In 2003, Heidi filed charges against Tom for abuse, which resulted in a court hearing that summer. According to Dan Whitcomb's article "Ex-Hollywood Madam Heidi Fleiss Sobs in LA Court," Heidi tearfully stated on the stand that Tom stubbed a cigarette out on her, beat her up, dragged her across the room by her hair and harassed her. Tom's lawyers said Tom was innocent and that Heidi was lying. However, the prosecution was able to support Heidi's account with evidence, which included pictures of her beaten and threatening answering machine messages left by Tom.
On August 15, 2003, Tom was convicted on six charges, including physical abuse, harassment and vandalism against Heidi. He initially received a sentence of six months in jail. Yet, it was reduced to ninety days in January 2004 following another hearing. Tom was also ordered to attend drug rehab, domestic-violence and anger management counseling.
According to Julie Keller's E! Online article, Heidi continues to make headlines, despite a lot of bad publicity. She participated in a USA Networks biography about her life titled Call Me: the Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss. Moreover, she is in the process of writing several more books. The world has not heard the last of Heidi.