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National Governor's Association Meeting in D.C.; Talking to Animals Help One Man Overcome Speech Impediment; Top Legal Cases of the Week; Personal Finance With the Dolans; Top Picks for Sunday's Academy Awards Show; Government Negotiations; U.N. Libya Sanctions; Wisconsin Rally; Iman Interview

Aired February 26, 2011 - 12:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: And we're going to begin, of course, with some of the developments coming out of Washington, where there may be some progress in negotiations to actually delay that government shutdown. CNN radio's Lisa Desjardans is following the negotiations.

So where do things stand, right now?

LISA DESJARDINS, CNN RADIO: Well, Fredricka, some good news for government workers. It looks like we may be on the road to a compromise between Democrats and Republicans. As a lot of folks know, government spending is set to run out this Friday, so within just a few days. But yesterday, Republicans put a deal on the table.

Let me go over exactly where we are. We put together a graphic for folks to try and make it simple. First of all, there is some area where both sides agree. There you see it. they both, Democrats and Republicans agree right now they want to make cuts from Obama's next year's budget, right now. They also agree to cut earmarks immediately.

Now, those are the major points of contention and they're onboard. The GOP is offering to extend spending with those cuts above for two weeks. And they say during those two weeks they'll negotiate over a longer term deal.

So Fred, reading the tea leaves, it's not too hard now, it looks like we could have a two-week spending deal sometime this week. That leads to the question, what happens then? Well, anyone who's followed Congress knows they sure do love to punt, so we don't know when we'll get a long-term deal, but for now it looks less and less likely we'll have a government shutdown, this week.

WHITFIELD: All right, and so for a lot of the federal workers who are very concerned about their jobs, furloughs, shut down, et cetera, how might they look at this potential proposal and see the rest of the year?

DESJARDINS: Right. My friends and neighbors are constantly asking me, am I going to have a job, am I going to be paid in two weeks? I think it's going to be touch and go, to be honest. I think we're going to see a lot of periods where we don't know what will happen. The good glimmer of hope for government workers is that neither side wants to be blamed for a government shutdown. Both sides want to cut spending, but both are frantically trying to avoid shutdown because they're not exactly sure who would be blamed. Democrats seem to think Republicans would take the blame, but there's pressure on both sides to for now avoid a shutdown, so that leads to some hope.

They're -- also, I should say, the media has to be careful for the next couple of turns of this, because it's so easy to say, oh, government shutdown, scary, big story, but the truth is we just don't know if we're actually going to get one -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: OK, but the prospects of it are very scary for a lot of people. Thanks so much.

DESJARDINS: That's right. That's right.

Lisa Desjardins, appreciate that.

All right, mow on to some pretty dangerous developments taking place. North Africa, sanctions, shuttered embassies, frozen assets, all of that. Libya's president Moammar Gadhafi faces even more pressure from the world community, now, to step down, but he remains defiant. His forces battling with protestors for control of the oil-rich country. The U.N. estimates that more than 1,000 people have been killed all across Libya in the past week alone.

The United Nations Security Council is meeting in New York to consider new sanctions against Libya. Senior United Nations correspondent Richard Roth is at the U.N. headquarters.

So what sanctions is the U.S. considering?

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT: Well, here at the U.N....

WHITFIELD: Or the U.N., sorry.

ROTH: ...where the U.S. Is a permanent member of the Security Council, they're considering travel ban on Libyan authorities, asset freezes and arms embargo. Similar sanctions to those imposed, many years ago, when Libya refused to turn over accursed suspects in the Lockerbie/PanAm bombing.

Ambassadors entered for this urgent meeting, here at U.N. headquarters in New York, and we've been told by many diplomats, broad agreement on these sanctions. Now in the past, Fredricka, there would be maybe days, sometimes weeks or deadlock when you're talking about a resolution, the highest level of U.N. action at the Security Council including a referral of Libyan authorities to the International Criminal Court, always a touchy issue for many members of the Security Council. The British ambassador, among others, says things seem to be progressing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARK LYALL GRANT, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: We're encouraged by the board's support that the elements of the resolution are attracting from other members of the Security Council. It's too early to say whether we would be in a position to adopted today, but clearly that would be our intention. We want to see it adopted as soon as possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: As soon as possible could mean just a matter of hours. China, as always, has some reservation sometimes about the referral to the International Criminal Court, but France's ambassador telling us that the council and the agreement level, earthquake levels, he is surprised at how much commonalty opposed to what's happening in the streets in Libya. Of course, the Security Council prodded by an impassioned appeal by Libya's U.N. ambassador who now opposes the leader there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ABDURRAHMAN MOHAMED SHALGHAM, LIBYAN AMBAS TO U.N. (through translator): I tell my brother Gadhafi, leave the Libyans alone. However you kill, however the atrocities here and who presented martyrs when they were barefooted, when they were poor in need against Mussolini, Omar Mukhtar said it clearly, "We don't surrender." Either we obtain victory, or we die. We do not surrender. Either victory or death.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROTH: So, the Security Council is behind closed doors now, Fredricka, and we'll be monitoring to see if it approves a resolution, though many question the effectiveness level of these sanctions. The U.N. doesn't have its own army and so far no country wants to get involved militarily to help the protesters and demonstrators against Gadhafi -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Richard Roth, thanks so much. We'll check back with you throughout the day, there at the U.N.

So, the fallout from Libya is already hitting American's in the wallet. Gasoline prices jumped an average of six cents a gallon, yesterday, the biggest one-day spike in two years. The gas you pumped today was probably manufactured before the violence started in Libya, but crude oil prices surged past $100 a barrel this week, and refiners are basing their current prices on future costs.

And back in this country, another day of massive protests in Madison, Wisconsin. This time with some help from Hollywood. Plus, straight ahead, she burst onto the modeling scene with a courage of a lion.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IMAN: Change is good. Try it. You never know what will happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Supermodel Iman conquered the world of modeling and went on to become a highly successful cosmetics executive. Up next, Face- to-Face with Iman about that encounter that started it all, 30 years ago.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The battle over the budget, and union rights enters yet another day in Wisconsin. Tens of thousands are expected to rally at the capitol today, including some Hollywood actors. CNN's Ted Rowlands joins us live from inside the state capito,l there in Madison.

Pretty crowded there.

TED ROWLANDS, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Oh, yeah. I'll tell you what, Fredricka, it's deafening and very crowded. You see the protesters have basically taken over the capitol and it's been like this for the last week and a few days. People are literally sleeping here at night, they're eating here, and there are union folks from across the country that have come here to support the union members in Wisconsin.

And we've got a couple folks that are union members from the West Coast, Screen Actors Guild and Actor members, Hollywood actors that are out here, including Gabrielle Carteris from "90210," back in the day. Bradley Whitford, you might remember from the "West Wing" and Robert Newman.

First off, why are you guys here?

BRADLEY WHITFORD, ACTOR: I'm here to support these amazing workers who are being used in a ridiculous power play where a budget crisis is being used as a pretext to union bust. I mean, these teachers and all the public workers here have agreed to concessions on wages, on their contributions, to their retirements and their health care, but he wants to eliminate collective bargaing, which is a basic American right, and these wonderful people in Wisconsin, where they've always known that you don't get democracy, you've got to make it every day, and they've taken to the streets and stayed there, and they're not going to let this stand.

ROWLANDS: Bradley's a little bit biased because he grew up in Wisconsin.

WHITFORD: Yeah.

ROWLANDS: Gabrielle, why are you here and what do you think of this?

GABRIELLE CARTERIS, ACTRESS: Oh, I think this is amazing. I'm a proud union member, member of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild and we are union members, we are here to support our union members. What starts here ends here because otherwise it affects our entire country.

ROWLANDS: Robert, should this continue or should those senators just come back and move on like...

ROBERT NEWMAN, ACTOR: I think this has got to continue until there's a victory on the part of these people that are protesting, so, you know, wonderfully here. I mean, this is a line in the sand for unions in the private sector and public sector. If you take away collective bargaining and our basic right in a democratic free society, we have a right to do this, and they're trying to take that away from these folks, and if they do, and they're successful at that, then they're going to take it away in other unions in both the private and the public sector.

And by the way, in this moment in America where there is such a disparity, where the middle class is disappearing, there is no greater generator of middle class life than the unions. But you know what?

Joyce, come here.

This is Joyce. Joyce is a retired teacher.

ROWLANDS: Hi, Joyce.

JOYCE, RETIRED TEACHER: Hello.

NEWMAN: Why are you here?

JOYCE: Oh, this is the most important thing I've been involved in my 66 years on this planet. This is so scary. I won't use those other words.

NEWMAN: Yeah, don't use those other words.

JOYCE: I am terrified of what is going to happen to the people I care about, the people I love dearly, the people I've taught, the people who have touched my lives, the people who won't be able to ride public bus service, ending in our town. This is criminal. This is beyond criminal. This is picking on those who have the least.

ROWLANDS: All right, as passionate as these folks are, Fredricka, believe me there's the passion on the other side, as well, and the divide that Robert talked about is clearly here, that line in the sand. And we'll see how it all ends. The time is ticking. Next week of course they're going to lose some money here in the state of Wisconsin if someone doesn't blink because they're going to have to refinance some debt and at that point you're going to see the pressure really starting to ramp up. But as it stands right now, nobody is really budging and I think it will be this way throughout the weekend, at least.

WHITFIELD: All right, Ted Rowlands, in Madison, thanks so much. That's the scene in Wisconsin. Is your state broke? Or getting close to being broke? Personal finance experts Ken and Daria Dolan will be joining us 30 minutes from now on how to spot the signs about the finances of your state.

And then check this out, snowflakes in San Francisco. Reynolds Wolf has your forecast straight ahead. And we'll check in on the nation's governors, comparing budget notes in the nation's capital this weekend. All that straight ahead. But first this profile, Face-to- Face. She is forever remembered as a supermodel. Model turned multimillion dollar cosmetics line founder and fashion designer, Iman, sat down Face-to-Face with me in her New York seventh Avenue office to talk about the serendipity behind the start of her modeling career and the risks of leaving behind family and home in East Africa.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IMAN: I saw an opportunity, but I had no idea what the opportunity was.

WHITFIELD: Did you that you can to your family about it?

IMAN: No. I was barely 18 and I would need the permission of my parents to leave the country. So I didn't tell them...

WHITFIELD: You're a diplomats daughter and he has ideas about where his daughter's going in life and probably to the states as a model is not it.

IMAN: Not it. Not it. So, I just boarded on a plane without telling anybody. And I'm thinking, so the only thing I asked was that I wanted a return ticket back home.

WHITFIELD: Just in case it was not a good fit.

IMAN: In case I didn't like this, I'm going back home. Right? But then I thought, well, I'll come here, I'll check it out, then go home and then decide, right? That was 30 years ago. And just being ignorant is bliss. I had no idea there were photographers, there were pictures being taken of me, there was a press conference when I arrived here. And there was a photograph of me in one of the very few places I would have never thought I would be in, "Newsweek." and my father saw.

WHITFIELD: So, wait a minute. This is your dad's discovery at this point. This is where my daughter's gone, this is what's going on with her.

IMAN: Yeah.

WHITFIELD: So once you left Kenya, and you found your way in the states, photographs are being taken of you, no conversations with mom and dad about this is what I'm doing?

IMAN: No. This all happened within one week.

WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness.

IMAN: My first five days, this is what happened.

WHITFIELD: So this was courageous and crazy.

IMAN: Courageous, crazy, but I've always been one of those kind of people. I always felt, and I still do, this is how really I navigate my life, you know, change is good. Try it. You never know what will happen. You know? But I've always wanted an exit -- an exit. I know an exit strategy.

WHITFIELD: Yeah, you wrote in your book, "I am Iman," I was looking for a disappearing act.

IMAN: Yes.

WHITFIELD: Because at the time you were married and you realized at a very young age, 18, 19, that I shouldn't be married, this is not going to be my future, but your mom said, this is your choice.

IMAN: Yep.

WHITFIELD: You stay, you live, you make it happen, and you decided to take a giant risk, defy mom and dad's wishes.

IMAN: Yeah. I have to say, it never occurred to me at that time that I was defying. I was trying to just not even just do a disappearing act, but change my life. And this opportunity just came. I had no idea what it was. I never thought I would still be here doing this. I thought maybe it was just a chance to change my life. You know? Here is where the United Nation is, maybe I could do that. Maybe I could just do what I...

WHITFIELD: You know these five languages.

IMAN: I speak five languages, I'm majoring in political science, maybe I'll pursue it here. You know, so it was just the opportunity that landed on my lap that I thought maybe I should pursue it.

WHITFIELD: So this ultimately was not a disappearing act, but it was a rebirth.

IMAN: Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. And from then on I have become -- I have so many incarnations and changes that has happened in the 30 years of my life.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And so among the many roles Iman would take on as a supermodel, consummate diplomat. At 2:00 Eastern, today, more Face- to-Face with Iman and how she disarmed so many when the figurative knifes came out to possibly undercut one famous model who later became one of Iman's closest friends. And check out my blog on CNN.com/Fredricka for more of that interview, Face-to-Face with Iman.

Here's a question for you. Would you ever give out your FaceBook password, even if it means keeping your job? Hear what our legal guys have to say about that case in Maryland.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, let's check out what's on our legal docket. Your FaceBook password as part of a background check, and extraditing the founder of WikiLeaks, and tracking school skipping kids with GPS. Our legal guys are ready for this one. Avery Friedman is a civil rights attorney and law professor in Cleveland and Richard Herman, a New York criminal defense attorney and law professor, he's joining us from Las Vegas.

Good to see you gentlemen.

AVERY FRIEDMAN, CIVIL RIGHTS ATTY: Hi Fredricka, welcome back.

WHITFIELD: OK, are you -- all right, thank you so much. You both on FaceBook?

RICHARD HERMAN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTY: Absolutely.

FRIEDMAN: Not me.

WHITFIELD: OK. All right, well then, Richard, I'm going to begin with you. So, say your employer says you got to give up your FaceBook pass. Would you? And if you were not to do that, what's your legal ground in which to do so?

HERMAN: You know, it's a correctional facility. And what they've implemented is for any new employees or recertifications for old employees, they want to do thorough background checks and therefore they're asking for this information so they can go on and read all your e-mails and all your messages and everything. It seems really intrusive to me.

I don't know, Fred. I mean, look. It's a correctional facility. Can you imagine if they had some lunatic in there as a correction officer who got through their vetting process and turned out to be a bad person? They'd get hammered. So I don't know.

WHITFIELD: So Avery, you're shaking your head. You're not on FaceBook maybe because you're a very private person, so is this an issue of privacy? Because that's what Robert Collins is saying it is.

FRIEDMAN: Yeah, Robert Collins is right. It violates the due process clause of the American Constitution's 14th Amendment. The fact is that he has already been checked out, there are plenty of ways to determine whether or not Mr. Collins is a member of a gang -- that's the underlying reasoning. But the fact is it's too much, too far, violates both privacy and due process.

Remember, Fredricka, this is government, we're not dealing with private parties. And so Mr. Collins has rights under the constitution. Ultimately Maryland will disband -- abandon this process. Some other local communities have tried it, they've dropped it. It's going too far. There's no way the courts would ever uphold that intrusive behavior.

WHITFIELD: Now, is Maryland saying this would be arbitrary, this is because of, say, Robert Collins', his background, or is everyone subjected to this treatment?

HERMAN: Everyone, Fred.

(CROSSTALK)

FRIEDMAN: No. 1, it is arbitrary, but No. 2 the fact that he is coming back to work, he's already been cleared, makes it especially arbitrary. But beyond that, I think it's too intrusive. I just don't think any court in America would ever uphold this kind of intrusiveness, there's just no way.

WHITFIELD: OK. All right, let's move on to Julian Assange, WikiLeaks getting closer to being extradited for sex crimes allegations. Richard, do you see Sweden getting its way in having him extradited?

HERMAN: I don't know, Fred. It seems ridiculous to me. Sweden has not charged him with any crimes, so how can you extradite someone if they haven't been charged with any crimes? They're still doing an investigation in Sweden. I don't know how the Brits turned him over. There's going to be an appeals filed within seven days. This is probably going to drag on for an extended period of time. And again, this has nothing to do with WikiLeaks and if the United States wanted to extradite him, certainly the Brits are much friendlier to us than Sweden would be on an extradition. So ,this has nothing to do with WikiLeaks.

FRIEDMAN: I don't agree. Judge Howard Riddle's opinion, it's a 28- page opinion, very thoughtful, carefully written. This is a claim under the -- the defense was under the Human Rights Act of 1998, a federal law, that's what Julian was arguing, saying that if he's extradited to Sweden he might get extradited to the U.S. and go to GITMO and die. That was his defense.

The fact is the Swedish authorities do have the right to make the inquiry. Judge Riddle is right. Richard's also right that there will be an appeal, but I think he's on his way to Sweden.

WHITFIELD: Interesting stuff. All right, let's stay a little closer to home, now -- Anaheim. We're talking about a junior high school that says we've got a problem with truants and as a result we want to have tracking devices on these kids to see where they are, why they're not in school. This is experimental, Avery, but might it have, I don't know, any traction to stick around? So the kids stick around in school?

FRIEDMAN: I got to tell you, if this is upheld, it is the end of Ferris Bueller as we know it. The fact is that every kid sooner or later winds up ducking out of school. But this is a policy in Anaheim that requires a kid to check in five times a day: When he leaves, when he gets to school, at lunch, after he gets home, and at 8:00 at night.

WHITFIELD: Woo.

FRIEDMAN: The fact is, it's too much.

WHITFIELD: All right, Richard?

HERMAN: Fred...

WHITFIELD: The school says they've got good reason for this.

HERMAN: It's voluntary to begin with. Yeah, it's voluntary, only. And it's for someone who has more than three unexcused absences. They call you up, the school does in the morning, and wakes you up, Bryson. They wake you up in the morning and then you have to check in during the course of the day. They make it easier for the student because if more than three unexcused absences they could probably have to redo part of the year. So, they're saying do this program, volunteer for it and we'll try to make things easier for you. It's voluntary.

WHITFIELD: Interesting stuff. All right...

FRIEDMAN: I don't buy it.

WHITFIELD: ...Richard, Avery, we'll talk about one of your faves there in California, Lindsay Lohan. The judge says you are going to jail. So I can't wait to see from you guys, does he really mean it? Is it possible? What's next for Lindsay Lohan?

Also coming up, do you know where your governor is? Probably in Washington, D.C., we'll tell you why and what's being discussed there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Welcome back, a look now at our top stories. The U.S. and international communities are intensifying the pressure against Libyan leader, Moammar Gadhafi, for a bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters. The U.N. estimates that more than 1,000 people have been killed. The U.N. Security Council is meeting to consider sanctions against the North African nation.

And President Barack Obama is pushing Congress to pass a short-term budget compromise to avoid a government shutdown. Senate Democrats tentatively approved a Republican plan to cut $4 billion in federal spending. The proposal would keep the government running for two weeks past the March 4 deadline.

And tensions in Wisconsin are running high. Protesters are gathering at the capitol right now against a plan to strip most state workers of their collective bargaing rights. The state assembly has approved the legislation, but Senate Democrats remain out of state to keep Republicans from reaching a quorum.

State budget problems are on everyone's minds as the National Governor's Association holds its winter meeting in Washington. CNN political producer Peter Hamby is there.

The governors have a pretty busy agenda there. What are they doing right now? What's on the agenda?

PETER HAMBY, CNN POLITICAL PRODUCER: Well, governors Republican and Democrat from around the country in this hotel behind me just a few blocks from the White House. Right now they're in a session just talking about the economy, listening to economists about the situation facing the country. And really kind of meeting with business leaders from around the country, there are Chinese officials here. Really just trying to gin up interest in their states, try to generate jobs, and create a business climate.

Because as you said, the situation in Wisconsin, a prime example, budgets are really consuming the job for governors these days. And Republicans and Democrats here, including several presidential candidates, that's topic number one. And Scott Walker, the governor of Wisconsin, is actually skipping this event because he is facing that battle back home in Wisconsin, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Right. Pretty tense moments. Thanks so much, Peter Hamby, there in Washington, appreciate that.

HAMBY: Thank you.

All right. Let's -- you know what, later on we'll actually talk to the Dolans, the financial duo, the dynamic duo. The Dolans are going to talk about what are the signs to recognize whether your state is in financial help, or in trouble. We'll be talking with the Dolans right after a moment with our Reynolds Wolf, who's in the Weather Center where it's feeling kind of spring like in a lot of places.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: A boy with a severe stutter and the wild animal that helped him find his voice. It's a story you don't want to miss.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Decades ago a young boy growing up with a stutter figured out a unique way to control his speech. He turned to the animal kingdom. In particular, a jaguar at the Bronx Zoo, that he would visit on a regular basis.

Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta has today's "Human Factor," stories of everyday people who have overcome major obstacles to achieve remarkable things.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You're looking at the jaguar. Few people are as familiar with the animal's fate than this man, Dr. Alan Rabinowitz.

ALAN RABINOWITZ, PRESIDENT & CEO, PANTHERA: Sixty percent of their habitat is gone. They still range throughout 18 countries, but they're killed on-site.

GUPTA: He launched Panthera. His mission? To save the jaguar and its peers.

RABINOWITZ: We felt strongly that there had to be something focusing on the world's great cats 24/7.

GUPTA: But what's more (AUDIO GAP)--

RABINOWITZ: Growing up I had a very, very severe stutter and I couldn't speak. It was so severe that I would get these very intense blocks. My mouth would freeze up, go into something called frozen mouth.

GUPTA: That is until he started talking to animals.

RABINOWITZ: I could not talk to the adult world because there was too much expectation put on me, too much impatience. But when I turned to the animals, I could speak.

GUPTA: Experts say between 70 percent and 80 percent of children who stutter will recover spontaneously. For the minority who don't, becoming what's known as a fluent speaker takes various therapies.

(on camera): You have to focus on not stuttering. Are you consciously thinking about it as you're talking to me?

RABINOWITZ: Yes. Not as much as I used to have to do.

GUPTA (voice-over): For Doctor Rabinowitz his therapy was the jaguar.

RABINOWITZ: Once I found those big cats and found these big powerful animals locked inside of their cages, locked in their own bodies, unable to get out, I felt that was like me. So I always would go to their cage and talk to them. And I promised that if I ever got my voice I would try to be their voice.

GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: A California judge tells actress Lindsay Lohan, quote, "You are going to jail. Period." Really? We'll check with our legal guys to see if it is indeed a done deal.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. More legal talkers right now.

A warning for Lindsay Lohan that involves jail; a deputy who arrested Mel Gibson gets the go-ahead to sue, and a change in the restraining order involving Chris Brown and Rihanna.

Our legal guys are back. Civil rights attorney Avery Friedman; Richard Herman, a New York criminal defense attorney, joining us from Las Vegas.

OK, gentlemen. Avery, you first. The judge says, Lindsay, you are going to jail. But does Keith Schwartz actually mean this?

FRIEDMAN: Well, Judge Schwartz has an enormous amount of pressure on him. I mean, I served on the bench at one time. I'm a former probation officer, so I'm both looking at both the crime here, as well as the obvious probation violation. Very complicated. She is going to jail. The question is how long and where? Which I think is very, very complicated here.

WHITFIELD: OK. So Richard, what can her attorneys do? Her defense attorneys do, to either make it an impossibility that she will not go to jail, that maybe there will be some other deal they can cut?

HERMAN: No, there is no other deal they can cut. And I disagree with Avery. It's not that complicated. She's on probation and she's pleading guilty now to another crime during the probation period. It's automatic. Any other citizen goes to prison for this, Fred-any other citizen. This judge is going to have to put her, if she takes the plea deal. She can go to trial and if she loses the trial she's going to get substantially more prison time.

The only thing her lawyer can do now is put her in massive therapy and try to bring those records to the attention of the judge, and say she's addressing her problems, she's a troubled person, judge. Prison's not going to do it for her. But I think it's too late for that. People have had enough of her.

FRIEDMAN: She's going to jail, yes.

HERMAN: She's absolutely going to go to prison here.

FRIEDMAN: Absolutely.

WHITFIELD: Let's move on to Mel Gibson and this is a case of a police officer saying the sheriff, and Mel Gibson, were good friends. And that sheriff instructed this police officer to kind of remove any kind of anti-Semitic material, the allegations that Mel Gibson uttered these words. This police officer is supposed to remove it from the police report and he says I've got a big problem with that, Richard, and he's actually suing now.

HERMAN: Well, he's suing because he's suing for retaliation, and discrimination and everything else against the sheriff's department there. And the sheriff's department brought a motion to dismiss. The judge denied it. That means there are viable questions of fact to go to a trial at this point in time.

Look, this sounds ridiculous to me. If they wanted him to sanitize that report, whoever directed him to do that, they have to be investigated. Maybe prosecuted. It's just really a tragic situation there. Guy's trying to do his job, it's not right, Avery.

WHITFIELD: So, Avery, Sheriff

(CROSSTALK) --

FRIEDMAN: Well, I --

WHITFIELD: --says throw this out.

FRIEDMAN: Yes, well, that was for procedural reasons. This case is all about Mee. Well, it's about James Mee, is the name of the guy, and he's the deputy. The fact is that after he was told to remove the four pages of the police report, what happened, he claims in the case, is that he was denied promotions, his bank records were subpoenaed, his home computer was taken -- he's got a very dramatic case.

Again, the burden is on him. All that happened this week was a procedural decision, Fredricka. So much remains to be done. But it's a very, very interesting case.

WHITFIELD: Boy, tip of the iceberg.

Also staying in California, Chris Brown, Rihanna, there was a restraining order. It has since been lifted but there are still some conditions.

Richard, what does this mean? And at the root here is he wants to be able to be in some public events where she may happen to be as well. So give me an idea what kind of conditions still remain. Which restrictions, if any?

HERMAN: I'm really troubled by this decision. I'm troubled by it, Fred. And I'll tell you why. The decision says he can't bother her. He can be near her, but he can't bother her. What does that mean? What happens if she has a bad day and she decides he's looking at me funny.

WHITFIELD: And a reminder to folks, she was allegedly beaten pretty badly by him, and that's where the restraining order --

FRIEDMAN: Yes, very badly.

HERMAN: Yes. Very badly, and not it has been lifted, so they can be in the same room with each other, but he can't, quote, "bother her." That's bad language for a decision. It's just fraught with big problems for him. He's got to stay away from her until the end of the probation.

WHITFIELD: So, Avery, is that because we're talking about two very public figures and their jobs, their careers, certainly put them in the spotlight where they may be sharing the spotlight, being in the same arena?

FRIEDMAN: Yes, this is only in Hollywood, Fredricka.

What Chris Brown was looking for is to get to the Grammys, which are now over, but other awards ceremonies. He wants to be there. Again, this is so unique to Los Angeles. And what's going to happen. And I absolutely agree with Richard. The fact is there are all sorts of problems. If Rihanna makes a complaint, this guy is going to be in a world of trouble. The smart thing to do, if I represented Chris Brown, is finish your probation, he's got about three and a half more years to go. Stay away. He'll be fine.

WHITFIELD: Interesting. Avery, Richard, always good to see you gentlemen. Thanks so much. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

(CROSSTALK)

FRIEDMAN: I saw your interview with Iman. It was great. She has nothing on you. You are super anchor, mom, Fred.

HERMAN: Absolutely, number one.

WHITFIELD: Yes, right, I'm believing that one. She is amazing. Brilliant, smart, wise, all that, and beautiful to boot. It's killer. All right, Richard, Avery, thanks so much. Appreciate it.

(LAUGHTER)

WHITFIELD: All right. Here's a question for you. Is your state in deep financial trouble? Find out if yours makes the top 10 right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Here's a question for you. Is your state in bad financial condition? These are the top 10 states compiled by "The Daily Beast." Is your state on there? If you want to see how your state ranks, check out TheDailyBeast.com for more on the other states.

Wisconsin, by the way, not even on that list. We've seen the protests there for well over a week now against Governor Scott Walker's effort to reduce the collective bargaining rights of public employees. He says that's needed to balance the budget. So your state could be in deep financial trouble. Most states are expected to come up short funding next year's budgets.

Finance experts Ken and Daria Dolans are here in the studio. Yes, we love that. Usually you see them out of Palm Beach, now you've made the trip to Atlanta.

OK, so how can you tell?

DARIA DOLAN, PERSONAL FINANCE CONSULTANT: I have my winter wear on.

WHITFIELD: I know. We've still got a little bit of it in the air.

KEN DOLAN, PERSONAL FINANCE CONSULTANT: Fredricka!

D. DOLAN: It's beautiful here. I can't complain.

K. DOLAN: Fredricka, before we tell you how you can see if your state is trouble -by the way, don't to a lot of homework, your state's in trouble.

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: A lot of them are, yes.

K. DOLAN: A lot of people-I've never heard on television somebody tell this to the audience, I'm going to tell it to you, you like it, you don't like it. I'm going to tell the truth to you. Who is to blame for this whole mess, and it's a mess, we'll talk about it.

WHITFIELD: Uh-oh.

K. DOLAN: You are.

WHITFIELD: I knew you were going to say that. K. DOLAN: Why? Because, Fredricka, we continue to elect 94 percent of the time we elect the same guys, the same women, who are spending money we don't have now and are putting out chits, that in no way in a million years we can afford it.

WHITFIELD: Is that it? Or is it that everybody, we all want things, we have a very long laundry list of what we want, and nobody knows how much it really costs.

D. DOLAN: You know, as Frank Zapos (ph) said, Communism will never work here because we do want things. But the factor the matter is, promises have been made, particularly to the public unions in most of the states.

K. DOLAN: And health care retirees, too.

D. DOLAN: But that's part of the public union situation, that in good times, probably would have been OK. But even then the states cheated on funding the pension plans. By not putting in, by overestimating the rate of return they would earn on these assets.

So we've made promises. Probably the one who's most on top of this is Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey. Because what he is basically saying is, look, I'm just telling you the truth. If you want to believe that you're going to have all these goodies at the end, it's not here anymore.

WHITFIELD: So if you're not hearing that dialogue from the legislature, or from the governor of your state, and you're, you know, you're lucky enough to be in one of those four states doing OK right now, prior to --

D. DOLAN: Arkansas, Montana, North Dakota, Alaska.

(CROSSTALK)

WHITFIELD: Prior to this week, prior to last week, what were some of the signs? How do you know that there are some problems going on in your state?

K. DOLAN: First of all, almost every state has these, but let me give them to you anyway, because then you can do your homework if you want. Certainly you want to take a look at the state indebtedness, as a function of the gross domestic product. You'd be surprised.

D. DOLAN: Of the U.S.

K. DOLAN: Of the U.S., 22 percent of the gross domestic product is owed by the states. Number two is unfunded pension benefit obligations. Don't get me started. And number three --

WHITFIELD: That's scary when you're counting on the pension and it's not there.

(CROSSTALK) D. DOLAN: They don't put the money in, either. Along with that they haven't been putting in the money for the health benefits for the retirees. So that's the third thing to look at. The unfunded health care benefit.

WHITFIELD: And is another sign, perhaps it's an obvious sign, but you don't see it as such when you notice there are no jobs in which to get at the state level.

K. DOLAN: That's a very good point. That's one of the reasons --

WHITFIELD: The jobs are simply not available because they can't be funded.

K. DOLAN: There are fewer jobs because there's less money, number two, and the few jobs that are there, they're paying less.

D. DOLAN: But here's the big problem.

K. DOLAN: Do you have any good news?

WHITFIELD: Yes, please. We need some.

D. DOLAN: The spirit and the entrepreneurialship (sic), does not come from the federal jobs, the state jobs, it comes from the private sector. It comes from the entrepreneur. What happens is, if you keep making these promises to the public sector, vis-a-vis state and local workers, and you don't have the money, you've got to tax the taxpayer more. Yes, the union workers, but the entrepreneurs, and usually they get taxed more because their businesses earn more.

K. DOLAN: And 36 states have already upped taxes and fees.

D. DOLAN: You're cutting the jobs there. And we're seeing 36 states have already increased fees and taxes.

WHITFIELD: Hold that thought on taxes, we are going to have you back at the 2:00 hour. We are going to talk about taxes.

(CROSSTALK)

K. DOLAN: Travel insurance if you get stuck in a country.

WHITFIELD: And how to make sure you come across, what, an audit free tax preparation.

K. DOLAN: Leave me alone!

WHITFIELD: Never heard of that one before, but they say it actually could happen. We'll see you again, 2:00 Eastern hour.

D. DOLAN: Good.

K. DOLAN: Thank you, Fred.

WHITFIELD: Excellent. Good to see you. All right. Hollywood of course is getting ready for its biggest night of the year and our own Kareen Wynter is on the red carpet with a preview.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Hollywood is getting ready for its biggest night of the year, as A-listers turn out tomorrow for the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. Kareen Wynter is live on the plastic-covered red carpet

Kareen, 10 nominees if for best picture, but it's really a two-horse race, isn't it?

KAREEN WYNTER, CNN HOLLYWOOD CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. You know, I'm having technical problems, so I just have to let you know, Fred, I'm not really sure what you tossed out to me, but we'll take it from here.

I did hear you say the plastic covered. You got that right. Take a look. This is how it really is. And I feel like every time I talk to you, every year, the day before the Academy Awards the weather is the big headline. This year is no different. So, of course, the Academy taking no chances, they have it tented, the plastic coverings on, and it was absolutely raining last night. Such a soggy, soggy, soggy night and it seems as if things have let up a little bit. We're told no rain on Oscar Sunday, but you never know. So if the weather does cooperate you can bet they're going to remove all this stuff.

But it's also exciting, too, underneath all the plastic covering that you see here, if you can see the gold statues. This, I believe is new this year. So a sleeker look on the red carpet and also that circular display that the Academy has put up and the bleacher positions, so exciting for the fans where they're going to be sitting over there. That's also raised so they'll have a wonderful vantage point. This is a big entrance where all the stars make their way in.

This year's hosts, Ann Hathaway, James Franco, the Academy was going for a much younger audience. We'll have to see if they deliver. They say they have a lot up their sleeves. They've been rehearsing all week.

And the big contenders in the best picture category, "The King's Speech," many people are saying they're going to -- that film is going inform beat out "True Grit" with Jeff Bridges, and Natalie Portman for best actress, so we'll have to wait and see.

WHITFIELD: Big night. Thanks so much, Kareen Wynter. I know we'll be seeing you throughout the weekend, once the plastic is removed and all.

Kareen Wynter, there in Hollywood.

All right. So to be sure to join "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" A.J. Hammer and Brooke Anderson for a live red carpet access at the Oscars starting tomorrow. Watch "ROAD TO GOLD" tomorrow night 7:00 p.m. on CNN, and then 11:00 p.m. on HLN.

My face-to-face interview with Iman continues in our 2:00 Eastern hour. Even when people in the fashion industry were trying to pit her against other top black models of the day, Iman worked hard to keep the peace.

I'm Fredricka Whitfield. "YOUR MONEY" starts right now.