David Hasselhoff custody victory despite troubles?

By Stone Martindale May 22, 2007, 2:20 GMT

Actor David Hasselhoff REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/Files

TMZ.com has reported that David Hasselhoff has secured custody over his two daughters.

The court hearing today was conducted behind close doors, with a gag order imposed by the judge earlier in the day. But while TMZ is reporting that Hasselhoff gained custody of the children after some powerful testimony by a court-appointed expert, Access Hollywood claimed an unnamed source close to the attorney for Pamela Bach, who said, "[That report is] an absolute fabrication."

David Hasselhoff appeared at the hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court and was in court next to ex wife Pamela Back and her lawyer Debra Opri, who represented Larry Birkhead in the Anna Nicole Smith paternity case.

David Hasselhoff entered the court without the right to visit his children after a video surfaced on the Internet that showed a drunk David Hasselhoff attempting to eat a hamburger.

TMZ reports that after a court-appointed expert performed psychological evaluations on the family, and the judge granted full custody of the two children to David Hasselhoff.

TMZ points to the expert's alleged testimony, which reportedly included evidence that Pamela Bach was abusive to her children, especially the youngest daughter, Hayley.

The expert testified that Pamela Bach had refused to consent to drug testing. That testimony apparently led to Hasselhoff being granted custody of the children for two weeks, at which time another hearing will be held.

Melvin Goldsman, the attorney for David Hasselhoff, said to Access Hollywood, the Hoff was "very happy the truth came out today." On the other side, Debra Opri refused to make any comment about the day's hearing.