Lawyer: "Jersey Shore" Dustup Was No Big Deal

A lawyer for a cast member of MTV's "Jersey Shore" says an encounter between his client and another woman at a Florida nightclub was a "non-incident."

James Leonard Jr., who represents Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola, says he spoke with her Tuesday after a woman accused the reality show star of punching her twice in the head Saturday night.

Kristen DeMinco showed reporters a bruise under her eye during a news conference outside Miami Beach police headquarters.

A spokesman for the prosecutor's office said authorities would review the allegations to see if charges are appropriate.

Leonard would not go into detail about what transpired between the women. He says he expects Giancola to be cleared once all the facts are known.

"This is attention-seeking behavior on behalf of the alleged victim, an opportunity to get her name in the papers as evidenced by her press conference," Leonard said. "The whole thing is a mockery, an absolute dog-and-pony show."

DeMinco said she plans to file a lawsuit over the incident, but Leonard dismissed the threat.

"There is no lawsuit here," the attorney said. "She says she got slapped in the face. It's not even worth the filing fees."

DeMinco said Giancola confronted her in the VIP area of the nightclub Dream after she struck up a conversation with a man who apparently was Giancola's boyfriend.

MTV has declined comment on the incident.

"Jersey Shore" is filming in Florida, but will return to Seaside Heights this summer.
By Wayne Parry