Judge-Executive Pleads Guilty To Alcohol Charge

Updated: Tue 2:15 PM, Dec 11, 2007

JAMESTOWN, Ky. (AP) - A judge-executive from central Kentucky pleaded guilty Monday to having an open container of alcohol at a county fair.

Madison County Judge-Executive Kent Clark also entered an Alford plea to alcohol intoxication in a public place, meaning he does not admit guilt but acknowledges enough evidence for a conviction. A charge of disorderly conduct was dismissed, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported.

Clark paid a total of $239 in fines, fees and court costs. He could not be reached for comment.

His lawyer, state Senate President David Williams, said he was pleased with the outcome. He said Clark has accepted responsibility for violating alcohol restrictions in a dry county.

Clark was arrested in June in dry territory, at the Russell County fair in south-central Kentucky, after police received complaints about his behavior, Russell Springs Police Chief Joe Michael Irvin said at the time.

Irvin said police found Clark with an open can of beer and told
him to pour it out, but he drank it instead.

Clark's blood-alcohol level was recorded at .18 in a breath test, Irvin said.

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