Rodman could face criminal charges

Greg Risling

NEWPORT BEACH -- After responding to yet another disturbance at the

oceanfront home of former basketball star Dennis Rodman this month,

police are examining other alternatives to curb the noise from his

frequent parties.

Newport Beach police are considering the possibility of submitting a

criminal case to the Orange County District Attorney’s office next month

against Rodman for his reportedly boisterous, late-night affairs that

have irritated some of his neighbors.

The case probably wouldn’t be more than an infraction resulting in

steeper fines or community service. But police may pursue the legal

action anyway because the fines Rodman has amassed apparently haven’t

sent a strong enough message, said Sgt. Mike McDermott.

“The fines haven’t made a strong impression with him, I guess,” McDermott

said. “We want to employ some other tools in the arsenal.”

Police are given the authority to assess civil fines in a section of the

city’s municipal code. Once police have responded to a specific location

a minimum of three times, they can issue the citation.

So far, Rodman has been visited by police six times over the last year

and he has paid more than $2,200 in fines, authorities said.

It appears the millennium celebration at the Rodman household hasn’t

stopped. Police have responded to his pink stucco home on Seashore Drive

on two occasions this year, the most recent on Jan. 11. Rodman and about

20 of his friends were partying on his patio facing the beach. Police

responded at 4:41 a.m.

According to authorities, Rodman laughed when he was issued another $750

fine for the disturbance and told police, “My attorney will take care of

this.”

Neither Rodman nor his attorney could be reached for comment Friday.

Some of Rodman’s neighbors are accustomed to his parties. David Nelson,

who rents an apartment near Rodman’s home, said he isn’t bothered by any

of the noise.

“It comes with the territory of living down here,” he said. “I don’t

think Rodman is a bad neighbor. He’s just having a good time and enjoying

his time while he’s still here.”

Other neighbors believe Rodman has been a disruptive force, one who

doesn’t care about the consequences of his actions.

“We are used to this in the summer, but this is the off-season now,” said

one neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous. “All we are asking for is a

little bit of courtesy and respect. Is that too much to ask?”

The 38-year-old power forward, who won NBA championships with the Detroit

Pistons and the Chicago Bulls, has encountered plenty of trouble since he

was released by the Los Angeles Lakers last year.

He was arrested last August at Woody’s Wharf on public drunkenness

charges. The charges were later dropped. Three months later, he and his

wife, actress Carmen Electra, were arrested in Miami Beach for a domestic

dispute. Those charges were also dismissed.

Most recently, Rodman was pulled over by Costa Mesa police on suspicion

of drunk driving after he left the Clubhouse Restaurant at South Coast

Plaza last month. Tests revealed Rodman’s blood-alcohol level was twice

the legal limit. He was released when he posted a $2,500 bond.

Prosecutors haven’t determined whether they will file charges against

Rodman. A decision will made next week.

Whether the police department’s planned efforts will have an effect on

Rodman’s behavior is a lingering question. They know Rodman has deep

pockets, but they say that won’t prevent them from trying to keep the

peace in West Newport.

“We’ve dealt with a lot of other people who have more money than him,”

McDermott said. “We’ve had party houses before. Just none of them have

continued this long after being fined.”