Does Celebrity Status Make Criminal Behavior Possible?
... victims in the bedroom and then in the courtroom. The unsuspecting athlete then faces the challenge of proving his innocence. The medias’ impression is that Kobe is “like Mike”. His style on and off the court are in many ways similar to Michael Jordan’s. His admission of adultery resulted in sexual assault charges, while Michael Jordan’s adultery made headlines to his embarrassment. Did he just do it because it was easily accessible? Celebrities have access to things the commoner would never have the privilege of seeing. Their celebrity entitles them to an array of choices much like a dinner buffet at a Chinese restaurant. From the array of adoring fans running feverishly on their heels to the endless parties offering drugs, alcohol, and any pleasure imaginable, celebrities have it all at their finger tips. The entire cast of young stars from once popular 1980’s sitcom “Different Strokes” fulfilled their every whelm from illicit sexual acts to criminal activity. Todd Bridges struggled with drug addiction and in 1990 charged with shooting a drug dealer but later acquitted. Three years later, he pleaded guilty to charges of drug possession and carrying a loaded weapon. Gary Coleman, the youngest of the cast, received a 90-day suspended sentence after pleading no contest to assault charges against an autograph seeker. In the case of Dana Plato, her celebrity privileges enabled her to purchase drugs on demand and later led to crimes such as armed robbery and possession of illegal substance. Ms. Plato battled alcohol and drug problems for many years until 1999 when died from an apparent drug overdose. In Santa Barbara County, California, Sheriff Jim Anderson made an announcement November 19, 2003 that the famed pop-icon Michael Jackson : "An arrest warrant for Mr. Michael Jackson has been issued on multiple counts of child molestation." Michael Jackson, famed pop-star icon, who gained fame as a youngster in the group “The Jackson’s” during the 1970’s, continues to make headlines as a child molester. His popularity as a pop-icon along with insurmountable wealth makes criminal activity easily attainable and privies him to the best defense lawyers in the world. His celebrity status makes children accessible to him wherever he goes. His financial wealth makes his crimes easier to conceal. Actors, athletes, and music icons alike share the same questionable and disturbing behavior that leaves us wondering why. Why put away the silver spoon and pick up the dagger of immorality. Does wealth make it easier because millions of fans are beating the pavement to ballgames or perhaps the fans that run swiftly to every concert with big eyes and little knowledge about the person behind the famed image. ...