"West Wing" Creator Sorkin Busted

Mon., Apr. 16, 2001 3:15 PM PDT by Mark Armstrong

Sure, getting arrested for a hallucinogen might make sense for the writers of, say, H.R. Pufnstuf or Teletubbies. But The West Wing?

Aaron Sorkin, the Emmy-winning creator of NBC's Oval Office drama, was arrested on felony drug-possession charges Sunday at the Burbank Airport, after police allegedly found illicit mushrooms in his carry-on bag.

Sorkin, who had been preparing to fly out from the Southern California airport, was taken into custody at about 3:15 p.m., after police searched his bag at a security checkpoint. "His carry-on bag was searched and police officers found what they believed were illicit mushrooms, which are a controlled substance in California," says airport spokesman Victor Gill.

Sorkin was taken to Burbank City Jail and released about three hours later after posting $10,000 bail. He will be arraigned April 30 in Burbank Superior Court.

The prolific writer-producer responded to his arrest in a statement Monday. "I am glad to be surrounded by such a supportive group of people and am prepared to proceed as directed by my attorney and in the best interest of my family," he said. "I appreciate your respect for my family's privacy during this period."

Sorkin has battled substance abuse in the past. In 1995, he checked into the Hazelden Institute in Minnesota for treatment of a cocaine addiction.

Sorkin began his career as a playwright, scoring critical acclaim for his stage version of A Few Good Men. He was soon thrust into the Hollywood spotlight when director Rob Reiner brought the military court drama to the big screen, starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson. Sorkin's big-screen r?sum? also includes 1995's The American President, also directed by Reiner.

Since moving to TV, Sorkin has earned more critical raves, both for his short-lived ABC dramedy Sports Night (now airing on Comedy Central), and for his political ensemble drama The West Wing, which premiered on NBC in 1999. Last September, The West Wing cleaned up at the Emmy Awards, snagging a record nine trophies, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for Sorkin and Rick Cleveland.