"West Wing" Creator Diverted
Instead of hard time behind bars, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge is allowing Aaron Sorkin to enter a drug diversion program to clean up his act.
In court Tuesday, the 39-year-old Emmy winner pleaded guilty to possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms, crack cocaine and marijuana. In exchange for his plea, he must enroll in the rehab program.
If he manages to stay sober for 18 months--his progress will be monitored through a series of periodic court hearings--the drug charges will be wiped from his record.
"Needless to say, it is a relief to have a resolution regarding my legal situation," Sorkin said in a statement. "I fully intend to proceed as directed by the court and am eager to get back to work and focus on what's important."
He plans to return to work on The West Wing after its summer hiatus.
Sorkin was busted April 15 at a security checkpoint at Burbank Airport, after guards found the magic mushrooms, marijuana and crack in his carry-on bag. He was later freed on $10,000 bail.
On May 2, he pleaded innocent to two felony counts of cocaine and 'shroom possession. The marijuana charge carried a misdemeanor count.
A June 4 court date was postponed after Sorkin hurt his back. But he showed up as scheduled Tuesday and changed his plea to "guilty" on all three counts. If he fails to behave himself over the next year and a half, he could face up to three years and eight months in state prison and have to pay at least $10,000 in restitution and fines. His first progress report is set for December 3.
His lawyer, Steve Sitkoff, says he's confident the matter will be "completely resolved and dismissed" in 18 months.
Sorkin, whose prolific career as a writer-producer has also included the stage and screen versions of A Few Good Men and the defunct, but fondly remembered, ABC sitcom Sports Night, has acknowledged past problems with drugs, including a stint at the Hazelden Institute in Minnesota for addiction to freebase cocaine. In 1999, he told the Los Angeles Times, "I'm the same as any other addict. I'm only a phone call away from getting loaded again."
Earlier this month, the New York Post, quoting unnamed insiders from The West Wing, reported that show star and anti-drug crusader Martin Sheen had threatened to quit if Aaron didn't "go to drug rehab and get his problem fixed." (Sheen once turned in his son, Charlie, after the Spin City star suffered a relapse.) A West Wing publicist, however, denied there was a blow-up between the two men.
Sorkin, who barely spoke during Tuesday's hearing, left the court without addressing reporters, but a publicist did pass out copies of his statement.
It concludes, "I would like to thank my family, friends and colleagues for the tremendous amount of support and encouragement they have provided during this period."
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