Lindsay Lohan quizzed by police over alleged attack on rehab staff member

But the troubled actress insists that she was hit first by the employee at California’s Betty Ford Treatment Centre, and that she merely defended herself by pushing the woman away.

She is now said to be filing a formal complaint against the staff member at the high-profile facility, who she reportedly claims has been gunning for her for weeks.

Lohan, who was this week moved to a secret location following several months of in-house rehab, says she was forced to shove the woman during a physical altercation in the early hours of 12 December.

According to US celebrity gossip website Tmz.com, the drama unfolded after Lohan was 10 minutes late for her curfew following a trip to a bar with two of her roommates.

Sources say the staff member was 'unfairly' scolding Lohan about the situation and demanded the 24-year-old former Mean Girls star take a drug and alcohol test.

It was during this heated exchange that pals claim the woman 'put her hands on Lindsay'.

Officers from Palm Desert Police Department arrived and interviewed both parties after receiving a battery report at 1.03am.

When the investigation is concluded, it will be forwarded to prosecutors for review.

If Lohan is convicted of criminal battery, she could spend six months in jail because she is still on probation for her 2007 drink-driving arrest.