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.
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