Al Gore's 24-year-old Son Pleads Guilty

Monday, July 30th 2007, 2:23 pm

By: News On 6

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (AP) _ Al Gore's son pleaded guilty Monday to possessing marijuana and other drugs, but a judge said the plea could be withdrawn and the charges dropped if he successfully completes a drug diversion program.

Authorities have said they found drugs in Al Gore III's car after the 24-year-old was pulled over on July 4 for going 100 mph in his Toyota Prius.

He pleaded guilty to two felony counts of drug possession, two misdemeanor counts of drug possession without a prescription, and one misdemeanor count of marijuana possession, the district attorney's office said.

Jaime Coulter, senior deputy district attorney, said Gore's sentencing will be continued until Feb. 7. If he has complied with all the conditions of the diversion program, the sentencing will be continued again for another year, with charges possibly being dropped in 2009.

``At that point, he will be able to withdraw his guilty plea as if he never entered it,'' Coulter said.

Gore was expected to enter the drug diversion program immediately, said Farrah Emami, a spokeswoman for the district attorney.

Gore's attorney, Allan Stokke, did not immediately return a call seeking comment. A spokeswoman for the Gore family said they would release a statement later.

Deputies who pulled over Gore said they discovered less than an ounce of marijuana and a variety of medications, including Xanax, Valium, Vicodin and Adderall. Authorities said he did not have a prescription for any of those medications. Gore also was charged with a traffic infraction for speeding.

The son of the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee was previously arrested for marijuana possession in Maryland in 2003, when he was a student at Harvard University. Gore completed substance abuse counseling to settle those charges.

He now lives in Los Angeles and is an associate publisher of GOOD, a magazine about philanthropy and aimed at young people.