US stand-up arrested

An American stand-up comic has been arrested on child abuse charges.

Santa Monica police held 41-year-old Paula Poundstone in Malibu yesterday. She was released a few hours later after posting $200,000 bail.

She is suspected of three counts of committing a lewd act upon a female child and another of endangering another girl and two boys.

The offences - supposedly committed on May 19, June 5 and June 6 - carry a maximum penalty of 13 years imprisonment.

Her agent declined to comment, issuing only the statement on its website: "This office has no comment regarding Ms. Poundstone's personal life or activities."

Poundstone was once named best female stand-up in the American Comedy Awards.

She had her own, short-lived TV show in 1993, and provided some of the voices for the Hercules cartoon series.

Published: 28 Jun 2001