Tila Tequila Allergic to Alcohol? Why it Might Not Matter

Tila Tequila allergic to alcohol and unable to drink? That is what Tila Tequila is claiming, shortly after having her boyfriend arrested at his Poway home for suspicion of battery and false imprisonment. According to Radar Online, Tila Tequila was attempting to jump out in front -- via Twitter -- of whatever defense Shawne Merriman might compose for his arrest early Sunday morning after the reality show star called 911 and told them the San Diego Chargers linebacker was choking her. An avid Twitter user, she was on the social networking site soon after her release from the hospital. Shawne Merriman, meanwhile, was taken in by San Diego County authorities.

Tila Tequila tweeted: "I am allergic to alcohol. It has been publicly known for years. That is how I got the name Tila "Tequila" cuz the irony. I can't drink."

If true, then Shawne Merriman really has some explaining to do. He has stated since the incident that her accusations were untrue, that he was only concerned for her because she was "extremely inebriated."

In a statement released to FoxSports.com, Shawne Merriman said, "At the time, I was concerned about her welfare given the intoxicated state she appeared to be in and I encouraged her to stay until safe transportation could be provided."

He went on to say that he "in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported. She was released and has since returned to Los Angeles, California."

So... If Shawne Merriman's account is true, Tila Tequila was "inebriated" or "intoxicated." Both terms can denote a state of mental drunkenness. And being intoxicated can be caused by several agents and not just alcohol. So being allergic to alcohol may not even enter into the final scenario.

However, CNN reported that Merriman's attorney, Todd Macaluso, said that "alcohol was involved." He said that there were a dozen witnesses at Merriman's house during the incident and they would testify that Merriman didn't attack Tila Tequila and that she appeared to be "inebriated or intoxicated." He also stated that: "At no time did Mr. Merriman assault her. At no time did Mr. Merriman keep her against her will," Macaluso said. "His intentions were nothing but good. ... We're very confident that this matter will be resolved without any charges being filed whatsoever."

So far, Shawne Merriman has yet to be charged.

San Diego County Sheriff's deputies at the scene reported there were no visible injuries to the reality show star. Thus far, no word as to whether she was visibly impaired.

TMZ released pictures of Shawne Merriman and Tila Tequila partying at the Stingaree nightclub in San Diego just hours before the incident.

In the end, it seems to be a simple his-word-against-her-word case. If Tila Tequila presses charges. If she cannot get anyone to corroborate her version of the story, she has no case because of lack of physical evidence.

But Tila Tequila could face a legal problem. Shawne Merriman, if all the evidence and witnesses remain in his favor, could sue the star of "A Shot At Love with Tila Tequila" for defamation. It could cause a cascade of charges, beginning with filing a false police report.

Tila Tequila might want to consider her next move carefully.

And it does not really matter if Tila Tequila is allergic to alcohol...

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Sources:

TMZ.com
RadarOnline.com
CNN.com
FoxSports.com