Rodman arrested near the Cannery Restaurant

Deepa Bharath

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman was arrested Thursday afternoon on

suspicion of being drunk in public, officials said.

Harbor Patrol deputies caught up with the ace rebounder, who is

notorious for his run-ins with the law, after getting complaints at

about 2 p.m. that he was seen driving his 47-foot Fountain powerboat

Sexual Chocolate under the influence of alcohol, said Jim Amormino,

spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

He said Rodman had docked his boat by the Cannery Restaurant when

the deputies approached him.

“Mr. Rodman was trying to untie his boat and attempting to remove

it at the time,” Amormino said.

Deputies saw Rodman fall to the ground and determined after

questioning him that “he was intoxicated and unable to care for

himself.”

On Aug. 3, Harbor Patrol deputies impounded Rodman’s boat because

he had reportedly used a private dock without permission. He paid a

$63 fee for towing and more in fines.

The colorful West Newport resident and owner of Josh Slocum’s

restaurant in Mariner’s Mile has had several encounters with local

authorities, from arrests on suspicion of drunk driving to alleged

assaults.

In August 2001, Rodman was slapped with two misdemeanors for

allegedly racing his boat in Newport Harbor. Officials waited more

than a month to officially charge him.

Perhaps his most notorious moment in Newport Beach was his May

2001 birthday celebration. He eventually pleaded guilty to three

complaints about the party’s noise. The former Lakers and Bulls star

had arrived at the party in a helicopter.

Earlier this month, a jury decided to relieve him of a civil suit

filed by Jo Len Ann McGowen, who alleged Rodman had drugged and

sexually assaulted her in his Seashore Drive home.

Rodman was being held in Newport Beach jail after the latest

arrest, but was expected to post bail on Thursday night.

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.