The Reliable Source

A Museum's Crime & Punishment

Well, look who's breakin' the law! None other than the National Museum of Crime & Punishment. The new downtown tourist magnet -- also HQ for John Walsh and "America's Most Wanted" -- got hit with a citation and a fine from the District's Department of Transportation for affixing cute little footprints on nearby sidewalks, along with the slogan, "Follow the Evidence." It seems the ads violate city regs about advertising on public spaces. Museum exec Janine Vaccarello told us the signs were put out by a contractor who she believed had cleared things with the city -- though the museum had to pay the fine. "It was a really great campaign!" she sighed. Said DOT spokeswoman Karyn Le Blanc: "They took a step in the wrong direction."

Hey, Isn't That . . . ?

· Flavor Flav waiting for a table at super-packed McCormick & Schmick's at National Harbor on Monday. The rapper/reality star -- whose Public Enemy will do a free show in Denver during the Dem convention -- wore the black backwards baseball cap and large black clock around his neck; arrived with a couple and his toddler son Karma. Chef Robert Gelman came out to get a photo; eventually they were seated in a private room. Had lobster, cognac.

· Chris Cooley taking his wife to the Backstreet Boys show at Wolf Trap on Monday. The Redskins star (yellow shirt, backwards Atlanta Braves cap) gamely fist-bumped a fan, posed for a photo. Seems Christy Cooley is the true BSB groupie -- she stood and sang through the whole show while he spent a lot of time on his cell.

· Nicole Richie and Joel Madden sitting outside the Starbucks at 21st and P on Monday night, laughing as other patrons loudly debated whether it was her. The celebutante (pale-colored top) and rocker (black tee, black hat) did a People photo shoot earlier at Meridian House; last night was his sold-out Good Charlotte show at 9:30 club. Richie showed up again yesterday a.m. to order a vanilla latte, baby Harlow in a stroller.

· Madeleine Albright doing the jury duty thing yesterday, drawing whispers and stares as she read her Post and drank her Starbucks. (D.C. Superior Court is like clockwork: Almost exactly two years since the day she and Karl Rove ended up in the same jury pool!) Black dress, tan jacket, matching heels, great hair. Probably more fun the day before, when Madame Secretary was seen taking a couple grandkids to a Mazza Gallerie matinee of "Wall-E."