“Behind the Candelabra” author and Liberace Lover SCOTT THORSON avoids prison time after violating parole by testing positive for methamphetamine.
Thorson, 54, admitted in court that he's a drug addict, claiming he's determined to get sober and avoid serving up to 20 years in prison for burglary and ID theft convictions, AP reported.
"I'm just asking for another chance," a tearful Thorson told the judge. "Getting sober is the most important thing to me. I'm up for 15 Emmys and that is important too. I'm becoming productive and feel good about myself.'
He said his goal is to write another book on the heels of his "Behind the Candelabra," detailing his love affair with the legendary showman Liberace which was the basis for the HBO film that's been nominated for 15 Emmy Awards.
"I can't help who I am. I'm in show business. I attract these cameras," Thorson said, acknowledging the TV cameras in the courtroom. "I want to be sober."
In July, Judge Patrick Flanagan sentenced Thorson to eight to 20 years and suspended the sentence on the condition he complete a drug court program.
As THE ENQUIRER reported previously Thorson had been staying with a support group at the Moonlight Bunny Ranch, a legal Las Vegas brothel in a neighboring county. Thorson had passed all previous drugs tests but as a result of a determination by probation officials that he must reside within Washoe County, his lawyer David Houston told the court.
Thorson was then forced to move into a cheap fleabag hotel in downtown Reno where he relapsed.
Thorson had told The ENQUIRER, “I went from living in the lap of luxury at the Bunny Ranch…,to a downtown Reno where there are drug addicts roaming the streets at night.”
His lawyer agreed, saying "He was living in what I would refer to as a drug-infested area," Houston said. "If you put enough stress on an individual and make things seem helpless you do get a certain result – in this case a relapse."
The Deputy District Attorney John Helzer said Thorson aka Jess Marlow, has been trying to capitalize on his fame since he told arresting officers he couldn't afford the bad publicity with “His” movie coming out when collared on charges of burglary and ID-theft on charges of swiping a credit card from a motel next to Reno strip club.
“His perception of being a celebrity is his biggest wall. He's not a celebrity. He's a story. It's one of accusation and manipulation and failure," The Deputy DA said. "He should go to prison."
Judge Flanagan rejected the prosecution's motion to revoke probation and order Thorson to prisonl but admonished Thorson – saying it would be his last chance.
"I'm not impressed – I don't think anybody is – with this so-called celebrity status," the judge said. "You're just like any other addict who has committed a crime against a victim."
Except this addict has garnered 15 Emmy nominations for the movie based on his book including lead actor bids for Michael Douglas, who played Liberace, and Matt Damon, who played Thorson.
“Scott was hoping told attend the Emmy Awards later this month,” Bunny Ranch owner and Thorson pal Dennis Hof told The ENQUIRER.
Looks like he’s going to make it, now.
