NATASHA LYONNE - LYONNE'S FATHER SLAMS 'HOMELESS' REPORTS

LATEST: Troubled actress NATASHA LYONNE's father has rubbished reports his daughter is "homeless" - insisting she is wealthy and living very comfortably.

AARON BRAUNSTEIN has spoken out on behalf of the troubled AMERICAN PIE star, who is currently facing a string of police charges, including criminal mischief, harassment and trespassing.

He tells the New York Post, "Everyone keeps saying 'Poor Natasha, she's homeless,' but she's very wealthy. I live in a huge penthouse with nine bedrooms on the Upper West Side; her grandparents are very wealthy in Beverly Hills."

And he claims Lyonne refuses to be tried over her alleged threat to sexually molest a former neighbour's dog because "nothing happened".

He adds, "It's obvious the case is going to be dismissed. (Criminal lawyers) MEL SACHS, BEN BRAFMAN and BRUCE CUTLER say unless the dog testifies, there's no case."

Lyonne failed to appear in court last month (27JAN06). The absence marks the fourth time Lyonne has missed a court date and the third time a bench warrant has been issued for her arrest.