Olympian and Poker Player Michael Phelps Avoids Jail for DUI
9 years ago
22 Dec
Michael Phelps was sentenced to supervised probation for an 18-month term following his guilty plea in a Baltimore courtroom for driving under the influence.
A winner of 18 gold medals in swimming throughout four Olympic competitons, Phelps is also an avid poker player who has cashed twice in live events. The Hendon Mob DB lists his best finish as 9th place at the 2008 Caesars Palace Classic where an investment in a $1,570 event was parlayed into $5,213 by the swimming star.
Phelps was cited for DUI in September after the cops caught him going 84 mph, almost 40 mph over the speed limit of 45. A blood-alcohol test found his level of intoxication to be .14, nearly twice the amount permissible under Maryland statutes.
Gambling in casino preceded arrest
TMZ reported that prior to his arrest, Phelps spent eight hours at Baltimore's Horseshoe Casino, apparently drinking and gambling in an area reserved for VIPs. It was Phelps' second DUI charge, his first in 2004 was also in Maryland and resulted in a guilty plea to driving while impaired. That was reduced from DUI, and 18 months probation was part of the deal.
Also cited for speeding and failing to stay within his lane in the latest arrest, those citations were dropped as part of Phelps' guilty plea, USA Today reported. The Olymian will be subjected to random drug and alcohol testing during his probationary term.
Phelps recently completed a 45-day alcohol treatment program and is currently participating in after-care counseling. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are part of his treatment, with the judge mandating attendance at one AA meeting per week -- at least.
Recovery is one day at a time
You've made a great start in your road to recovery, but as with your career this is not going to be a success overnight," the judge said during sentencing. "I don't intend to use your celebrity against you as you struggle with personal demons."
Phelps was barred from competition for six months following his arrest. The 29-year-old has his sights set on the 2016 Olympics that will take place in Brazil. No word on whether Phelps will enter any poker tournaments in the near future.
What I did was wrong and I will share my experience with others and hope that I can help make a difference," Phelps tweeted after his sentencing. "I am back in the pool training and have set new goals for myself in and out of swimming for 2015 and beyond."
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