Rodman pleads no contest

Tuesday, April 20, 2004 | 9:18 a.m.

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman entered a no-contest plea Monday to one misdemeanor charge of drunken driving in connection with an October motorcycle crash outside a local strip club.

Rodman, 42, who did not attend the hearing in Las Vegas Municipal Court, was sentenced to pay a $1,000 fine and ordered to continue an alcohol treatment program. With the plea, charges of reckless driving and obstructing a police officer were dropped. The charges came after a motorcycle crash outside Treasures in October.

This is Rodman's second DUI. His first was in California in July 2000, his lawyer, Paul Meyer, said.

Rodman had been at the newly opened Treasures in October at 2801 Westwood Drive, near Interstate 15 and Sahara Avenue, for a couple hours when he asked an employee if he could take a ride on his motorcycle.

Rodman lost control and was thrown from the motorcycle. The bike continued about 30 feet and hit the concrete base of a light pole in the parking lot, general manager Nick Foskaris said.

If Rodman is convicted of another DUI in Nevada within seven years of his first offense, he could face one to six years in prison and a fine between $2,000 and $5,000.

Rodman agreed to continue his alcohol counseling program, including taking the alcohol inhibitor drug Antabuse.

"I have been in the program for six months and it has changed my life for the better," a prepared statement from Rodman said.

Rodman said he intends to play in the NBA's summer league.

"I am looking forward to playing in the NBA summer league and getting signed for the next regular season as a much more responsible Dennis Rodman than anyone has ever seen before.

"I feel like I am 30 years old again, and playing better than ever," he said.