Rodman Pleads Guilty to DUI

Tuesday, July 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) â€” Dennis Rodman pleaded guilty Tuesday to misdemeanor drunken driving and driving without a valid California license stemming from his arrest in December.

Rodman's plea was entered through his attorney, Paul Meyer. The former NBA player wasn't required to be in court.

Rodman will pay about $2,000 in fines and fees, and will have to attend a three-month alcohol program, deputy district attorney Tony Ferrentino said.

Rodman's blood-alcohol level was .15 percent â€” California's legal limit is .08 percent â€” when he was arrested on Dec. 22 while behind the wheel of a Bentley after leaving South Coast Plaza, a shopping and restaurant complex.

Rodman was charged as a first-time DUI offender, Ferrentino said.

At the time, the former Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls player was driving with a Texas license. Rodman lives in Newport Beach.

Rodman's driving privileges will be restricted to driving to and from work and to and from the alcohol program, Ferrentino said.

Through Meyer, Rodman said he voluntarily enrolled in the alcohol education program before the plea was entered.

``I know some people were upset about the arrest, but I think the police were just doing their job,'' Rodman said through Meyer.