Dennis Rodman Pleads Guilty to DUI

N E W P O R T  B E A C H, Calif., July 18, 2000 -- Dennis Rodman pleaded guiltytoday to misdemeanor drunken driving and driving without a validCalifornia license stemming from his arrest in December.

Rodman’s plea was entered through his attorney, Paul Meyer. Theformer NBA player wasn’t required to be in court.

Rodman will pay about $2,000 in fines and fees, and will have toattend a three-month alcohol program, deputy district attorney TonyFerrentino said.

Rodman’s blood-alcohol level was .15 percent — California’slegal limit is .08 percent — when he was arrested on Dec. 22 whilebehind the wheel of a Bentley after leaving South Coast Plaza, ashopping and restaurant complex.

Blood-Alcohol Level Was .15

Rodman was charged as a first-time DUI offender, Ferrentinosaid.

At the time, the former Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bullsplayer was driving with a Texas license. Rodman lives in NewportBeach.

Rodman’s driving privileges will be restricted to driving to andfrom work and to and from the alcohol program, Ferrentino said.

Through Meyer, Rodman said he voluntarily enrolled in thealcohol education program before the plea was entered.

“I know some people were upset about the arrest, but I thinkthe police were just doing their job,” Rodman said through Meyer.