Rodman Gets Fine in Drunk Driving Case

Dennis Rodman, the former Lakers and Chicago Bulls basketball star, pleaded guilty Tuesday to driving under the influence of alcohol and without a driver’s license.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Margaret Anderson fined Rodman $2,050 and sentenced him to three years of informal probation. If he commits a misdemeanor or a felony during that time, he could be sentenced to jail for a year.

Rodman also must attend a three-month alcohol program through the county probation department. He is prohibited from drinking during that period and must submit to random testing.

In a statement issued through his attorney, Rodman said he already had voluntarily enrolled in an alcohol education class.

The Newport Beach resident was arrested Dec. 22 after leaving the Clubhouse restaurant in South Coast Plaza. Customers complained about Rodman’s behavior, and mall security called police.

Rodman was driving his Bentley when officers stopped him as he was leaving the parking lot. The former NBA player had a blood alcohol level of 0.15%, nearly twice the level under which a motorist is considered a drunk driver.

“I know some people were upset about the arrest,” Rodman said in a statement Tuesday, “but I think the police were just doing their job.”

Earlier this month, the Orange County district attorney’s office decided not to prosecute Rodman for disturbing the peace after reviewing reports of 36 incidents at his beachfront house.