"American Idol" judge Paula Abdul was charged Thursday with hit-and-run driving for allegedly fleeing after her car clipped another vehicle on a freeway last December.
The city attorney's office filed the misdemeanor count, which carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
A message left for Abdul's spokeswoman wasn't immediately returned, but her lawyer said Abdul had paid for the damage.
"Unbeknownst to Paula, there was some minor contact between the tire of her car and another vehicle on the roadway," said a statement from lawyer Neil E. Meyer.
"This week, after learning that it had been determined that her car was actually involved, Paula immediately took full responsibility and paid $775 to repair the minor property damage," Meyer said.