LOS ANGELES, USA — Lindsay Lohan isn’t the only one authorities are investigating over a late night spat with a rehab worker. Experts say the facility where she is being treated and its former employee will also receive some scrutiny.

A spokesman for the California Department of Public Health confirmed the agency was conducting an investigation at Betty Ford, but declined to release details. Spokesman Ralph Montano said this week that details may be released later, but he could not confirm that the inquiry was related to Lohan or an interview by the fired employee.

Detectives are investigating Lohan for misdemeanour battery at the request of a Betty Ford Clinic worker who was involved in a fight with the Mean Girls star shortly around 1:00 am on December 12.

Lohan’s attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, has declined comment on the incident, but said it was the actress who called police.

The worker later conducted an on-camera interview with celebrity website TMZ, which also posted an e-mail the worker apparently sent to supervisors after the fight. The woman, identified by TMZ as Dawn Holland, was promptly fired by Betty Ford.

Criminal defence attorney Steve Cron, who is not involved in the case, said both Betty Ford and Holland are likely to face some repercussions. Betty Ford, which described the Lohan incident as the first time in 28 years that it had a breach of patient confidentiality, could face a civil fine, he said.

“I don’t see any criminal prosecution, but I do see some investigation to see whether this is a systemic problem or just an isolated incident with one wayward employee,” Cron said.

A Betty Ford spokesman declined comment on whether the renowned rehab centre reported the incident to state or federal authorities.

There is both a historical expectation and legal requirements for confidentiality in rehab settings, said Dr Westley Clark of the Maryland-based Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

“We want people to be able to get care, to be as candid as possible,” Clark said, adding that he couldn’t specifically speak about the Lohan incident.

Safeguarding celebrities’ medical records has been an issue in California, with health care workers prosecuted and disciplined for peering into — and selling — confidential information.

Lohan, 24, is due to be released from Betty Ford on January 3 and the investigation creates an even more uncertain future for the 24-year-old actress.

She is no longer slated to star as porn actress Linda Lovelace in a biopic and does not have any other confirmed acting roles slated.

The actress is due back in court on February 25 for a hearing at which Fox may either loosen the terms of her probation, or address the Betty Ford incident.