Former "Idol" Finalist in trouble again..

[MusicCityMan]

Former ‘American Idol’ Finalist Involved In Rental Car Flap
Posted Jun 25, 2007 by The Tampa Tribune
Updated Jun 25, 2007 at 04:46 PM


By KEITH MORELLI
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - Jessica Sierra, the 2005 American Idol finalist from Tampa who fell from grace two months ago in a South Tampa barroom scuffle that resulted in felony charges against her, is facing more woes, this time over a rental car flap.

Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies took a complaint Friday from a North Nebraska Avenue car rental company that accused the 21-year-old singer of owing them money on a rental agreement.

Sierra rose to stardom two years ago when she made the top-10n finalists on the Fox show and went on tour that year with the other finalists. But since then, her career has slowed as problems arose, including having to deal with a stalker who flew to Tampa from California to meet her.

And in April, authorities said, she got into a scuffle at a trendy South Tampa bar and eventually landed in jail.

Sierra was charged with aggravated battery in the April 29 incident in the Hyde Park Café. Later, she was charged with possession of cocaine and introduction of contraband into the county jail when a small amount of the drug was found during the jail booking process. All three counts are felonies.

Sierra is free on $11,500 bail. In addition to the criminal charges, she was also named as a defendant, along with the Hyde Park Café, in a civil lawsuit filed by the bar patron who was struck in the head by the cocktail glass during the fracas.

Apple Rental Cars, located at 12606 N. Nebraska Ave., rented the 2004 Kia Optima to Sierra on May 23, said manager Robert Wilson, 48. He said there was no doubt about who the customer was and Sierra even posed with some sales representatives for photographs, he said.

Her date of birth checked out and the small rental company copied her driver’s license.

“There’s no mistake,” Wilson said. “It was her.”

He said Sierra, 21, paid for a week, with a money order then extended the rental period for two more weeks. He said Sierra has had the car since June 13 without a contract and owes for nearly two weeks, at just over $500 a week.

Wilson said his company sent a registered letter to Sierra and there was no response.

“She probably think’s it’s a joke,” Wilson said.

He said if she had responded, the matter would have been handled in civil court, but since he has heard nothing from the singer, the criminal complaint was filed. Sheriff’s deputies went to the small rental agency just north of Fowler Avenue on Friday evening and filed an 18 page report. It is titled, “Failure to Return a Rental Property” and is checked as inactive.

The investigation was turned over to the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office to review for possible charges. A state attorney’s spokeswoman Monday said the office had not yet received the report.

Tampa attorney John Fitzgibbons, who represents Sierra in the criminal case, agreed that the car had been rented by his client and that she had extended the rental period at least twice.

Late Monday afternoon, he said he had talked to Sierra and that she had planned to return the car immediately.

“The car will be returned by the end of the day today,” he said.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 865-1504 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.