Roger Clinton Fights DUI Charge

T O R R A N C E, Calif., Aptil 3 -- The lawyer for former first brotherRoger Clinton claimed Hermosa Beach police targeted his client fora drunken driving arrest because he's famous.

"They obviously knew who he was. I believe he was targeted. I have no doubt that that's what happened," attorney Mark Geragos said Monday after getting Clinton's arraignment postponed until April 30.

Geragos, however, provided no evidence that police targeted former President Clinton's half brother. "I have an answer to that, but I'm not going to give you that yet," the attorney said.

Hermosa Beach police Officer Paul Wolcott called the allegation absurd.

"We don't target people because of who they are. Clinton was pulled over because of his driving," Wolcott said.

Pardoned a Month Earlier

Clinton, 44, was charged Feb. 21 with drunken driving after he allegedly was seen weaving his sport utility vehicle down a Hermosa Beach street. The charge came less than a month after the former president pardoned his younger brother for a 1985 drug offense.

He also was charged with disturbing the peace for allegedly challenging a nightclub doorman to a fight, Wolcott said.

Clinton was free on his own recognizance. If convicted of the misdemeanor counts, he could be sentenced to a year in jail and fined $2,000.

The Hermosa Beach officer who arrested Clinton allegedly saw Clinton's Ford Expedition hit a curb while making a right turn, stop beyond the limit at two stop signs and straddle the center dividing line.

A breath test indicated that Clinton's blood alcohol level met or exceeded the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Clinton registered 0.08 and 0.09 on two breath tests, police said.

Less than an hour earlier, police alleged, Clinton tried to re-enter the Lighthouse nightclub after it had closed for the night. Clinton became irate and allegedly tried to push his way past a doorman, Wolcott said.