"Beacher orchestrated everything," said Boychuck, who contends Hilton thought Beacher was taking her to a cocktail party.

Hilton stopped on the red carpet and did not enter Vo's salon when she realized "she was being conned," said Boychuck, who runs salons at Caesars Palace and the Palms.

Beacher, he said, was delivering Hilton to the event to curry favor with The Mirage.

Beacher acknowledged he was doing "a favor," but was not paid for it. He added, "This is not a story. It's absurd. Paris can go wherever she wants. I'm not a celebrity wrangler."

Boychuck sent me what appeared to be an apologetic text messages from Vo, who worked with Boychuck years ago. "He's a class act," said Boychuck.

Vo went on to become one of the top celebrity stylists in Hollywood. His clientele includes Britney Spears and Pamela Anderson, Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn and Teri Hatcher.

"Hairdressers have a code of ethics," Boychuck said. Hilton's presence at the opening gave the impression that she was endorsing Vo, Boychuck said.

"I've been getting calls from the media asking, 'Did Paris leave you for Kim?'" The Mirage, he said, "did that on purpose. That's the lowest scam I've ever seen."

A rep for The Mirage said Beacher called Scott Sibella, president of The Mirage, to say Hilton would be dining at Stack restaurant on her way to "Love" with boyfriend Benji Madden. "Scott said, 'Since she's going to be on property, why don't you bring her by (the event).' It was all very innocent."

NOT ENGAGED

George Clooney's publicist is dismissing an Italian newspaper report that claimed he and Sarah Larson have gotten secretly engaged.

"These reports are not true," Clooney's Los Angeles-based rep, Stan Rosenfield, told People magazine.

A source told Vegas Confidential that Larson, a Las Vegas model who met Clooney while she was a cocktail server here, recently hinted her plan was to "get serious about modeling" before getting deeper involved in the relationship.

Clooney took Larson to the Oscars last month after a romantic Valentine's weekend with her in Las Vegas. It was the first time Clooney has taken a date to Hollywood's most glamorous event.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The cast and crew for the Rio's "Show in the Sky" were informed last week that the production is closing April 8. More than 70 people are being laid off. ...

Wolfgang Puck is in town for tonight's VIP opening at The Palazzo of CUT steakhouse, the latest spinoff of one of his Los Angeles fine dining emporiums. ...

Correction: Rick Hergott's name was misspelled in Monday's column.

SIGHTINGS

Naomi Judd, visiting with fans while having lunch solo at NM Café at Neiman Marcus on Monday. "She was giving us menopause advice,'" said Jan Roberts of Lincoln, Neb. ... Actress Scarlett Johansson and actor/boyfriend Ryan Reynolds, hosting a party after her mother's wedding Saturday at the Eiffel Tower restaurant (Paris). ... Drummer Vinnie Paul of rock group Pantera, dining Sunday with friends at Social House restaurant (Treasure Island). ... Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, dining Sunday at the Eiffel Tower restaurant (Paris). ... Singer Taylor Dayne, checking out The Bank nightclub (Bellagio) on Saturday. Hilton, Madden and Beacher at Benihana (Hilton) on Sunday night.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Ron Paul says he is winding down his campaign. His supporter is devastated." -- Jimmy Kimmel

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.