Sheriff Lee Baca denies Paris Hilton donation influenced decision

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has denied reports his controversial decision to let Paris Hilton out of jail was influenced her grandfather's $1,000 (Û748) donation to his 2006 re-election campaign.

The 'Simple Life' star was briefly released from Los Angeles' Century Regional Detention Center on Thursday and allowed to serve the rest of her sentence - imposed for violating probation - under house arrest.

Baca's decision was overturned by a Los Angeles judge on Friday, who sent the heiress back to jail to serve her 45-day sentence in full.