Lighty Denies Dupre Rumors

Let the word go forth: Former high-end prostitute Ashley Dupre – she of the Eliot Spitzer / customer No. 9 fiasco – may be starting up a music career, but it doesn’t involve hip-hop manager Chris Lighty.

The chief of Violator Management, which reps “Diddy” Combs, 50 Cent and LL Cool J among others, was mentioned in the New York Post as Dupre’s new manager. So said an “insider” to the newspaper’s Page Six gossip column in a Nov. 28 short item that was soon picked up by TMZ.

That was enough for Lighty to release a short statement that neither he nor his company represent the former escort.

“Lighty helped negotiate an interview for Dupre with Diane Sawyer and has no further involvement in Dupre’s career,” the statement said.