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Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Ex-Kentucky, UTEP Coach Pleads Guilty to DUI Charge
Associated Press
LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — Former University of Kentucky and University of Texas-El Paso men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie pleaded guilty Monday morning in Anderson District Court to driving under the influence.
Gillispie, 49, will have to pay a fine of about $1,000 and complete an alcohol education program before his driver's license can be renewed in Kentucky.
Gillispie's license was suspended for 30 days, but he was given credit for the time his license has been suspended.
Gillispie and his attorney, William Patrick of Lawrenceburg, left the courthouse without talking to reporters. Gillispie, who left the courthouse moments after his attorney did, refused to stop and talk to reporters as he made his way to a car outside the courthouse.
Gillispie said in a statement released by his attorney after Monday's court appearance that he "made a mistake and admitted my mistake today to Judge (Linda) Armstrong.
"I accept the penalty she has imposed," his statement said.
Gillispie received the maximum fine for a first offense of driving under the influence, the statement said.
Gillispie also apologized to the people of Kentucky, his family and friends, and he thanked the people who offered words of encouragement and support over the past several months.
County attorney Bobbi Jo Lewis said in a statement that she took the facts regarding the "individual offense and the individual in question" into account in the sentencing recommendation. She said the recommendation was "both fair and equitable."
"Mr. Gillispie has been treated the same as any other person who appears before the Anderson District Court charged as he was — no better and no worse," Lewis said.
Lawrenceburg police arrested Gillispie shortly before 3 a.m. Aug. 27. Police said he swerved along a road in a white 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-300, then fumbled through his car, looking for his insurance.
A police report said Gillispie had red, glassy eyes and slow, slurred speech.
Gillispie was fired at Kentucky last spring after a rocky two-year tenure, during which the Wildcats went 40-27. He sued the university, contending that he was owed millions of dollars in severance pay. The university and the UK Athletics Association agreed last month to pay Gillispie nearly $3 million plus attorneys' fees to settle the dispute.
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