Rapper Ludacris gives cars to contest winners

Rapper Ludacris gives cars to contest winners

MORROW, Ga. — Talk about a one-man stimulus package: Grammy-winning rapper Ludacris has given away 20 cars to people who wrote about their struggles to keep their jobs for a lack of wheels of their own.

Ludacris said he was taken aback after reading thousands of essays by people struggling or unable to buy cars needed to get to and from work or find jobs. The 31-year-old rapper felt he could step in and move them ahead, partnering with a suburban Atlanta dealership for Sunday’s giveaway.

Each of the used vehicles included free gas for 30 days. Winning contestants were responsible for tags, registration, tax and insurance. About 4,000 contestants submitted a 300-word essay to the rapper’s foundation, explaining why they deserved a car.

One of the most touching stories Ludacris read was by Mading Duor.

Duor described how he moved to the United States six years ago after his mother, father, and five brothers and sisters were killed in Sudan. The man also wrote that a son was killed by a drunken driver in Atlanta a few years back.

“His story touched my heart,” Ludacris said. “He’s endured so much in his life and he’s still here standing. I’m very proud to have helped him.”

Duor, 33, has been able to keep a steady job at a school, but each day he felt stressed about how he was going to get to work. No longer.

“I’m so happy, that I’m nervous,” said Duor, who won a Nissan Maxima. “When I look at my new car, I say to myself, ’Is this really happening?”’

Crystal Beauford, a single mother who used to ride the bus to two jobs and school, now has a Saturn Ion. The 26-year-old college student doesn’t know how to drive the stick-shift vehicle, but said she’ll learn.

Ludacris won Grammys for Best Rap Album for “Release Therapy” and Best Rap Song for “Money Maker.”

No prosecution for guard in Conn. model scuffle

STAMFORD, Conn. — A criminal charge against a security guard who was accused of shoving former supermodel Stephanie Seymour into a door at her Connecticut home is being dismissed if he can stay out of trouble.

Seymour got into a dispute with guard Joseph Babnik in June when he was watching the Greenwich estate of her estranged husband, billionaire newsprint magnate Peter Brant.

Babnik told police Seymour had taken documents from him and he was trying to get them back. The former New York City police officer from Carmel, N.Y., was arrested and given a misdemeanor summons on a disorderly conduct charge.

But the state’s attorney on Friday declined to prosecute the case after Seymour and Babnik reached a closed-door agreement. The charge will be dismissed in a year if Babnik isn’t arrested again.

Lawyers for Seymour and Babnik have declined to comment.

Lori Petty gets probation in drunken-driving case

LOS ANGELES — Lori Petty will serve five years probation after pleading no contest Friday to a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge.

The actress issued a statement apologizing and vowed that it will be her last arrest on the charge.

City Attorney’s spokesman Frank Mateljan said Petty entered the plea through her attorney and has already completed some of the terms of her sentence, which include alcohol-abuse counseling.

Petty was arrested May 30 after a skateboarder was hit with a car in the Venice Beach area, authorities said.

“I sincerely apologize for driving after drinking alcohol,” Petty said in a written statement.

She urged people not to drive after drinking and to take keys from friends if they appear to be under the influence.

Petty’s film credits include “Point Break,” “Tank Girl” and “A League of Their Own.” The 45-year-old actress was not required to appear in court

Today’s birthdays

Comedian Sid Caesar is 87. Ventriloquist Willie Tyler (with Lester) is 69. Actor Alan Feinstein is 68. Singer Sal Valentino of The Beau Brummels is 67. Actress Heather Thomas is 52. Singer Aimee Mann is 49. Bassist David Steele of Fine Young Cannibals is 49. Singer Marc Gordon of Levert is 45. Singer Neko Case is 39. Actor David Arquette is 38. Actor Henry Thomas (“E.T.”) is 38. Actor Martin Freeman (BBC’s “The Office,” “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”) is 38. Drummer Richard Hughes of Keane is 34. Actor Larenz Tate is 34. Singer Pink is 30. Actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas (“Home Improvement”) is 28.