US Airways CEO pleads guilty to DUI; sentence includes fine and restrictions


US Airways CEO Doug Parker escaped the media glare Tuesday when he appeared at Scottsdale City Court a day earlier than planned and pleaded guilty to a DUI charge. But he may not be able to start his jail term out of the spotlight.

Parker's sentence includes 24 hours in the Scottsdale jail on March 15. That is the day after the Tempe airline's annual media day, which attracts reporters from around the country.

Unless a date change is requested and granted, Parker's DUI and looming jail stay would get even more national scrutiny. His mug shot was plastered all over major Internet news sites the day his Jan. 31 arrest became public earlier this month. advertisement




His sentence was widely covered Tuesday, with Forbes.com slapping this headline on its Internet story: "CEO's Wings Clipped."

Parker's attorney, well-known Phoenix defense attorney Larry Kazan, did not return calls seeking comment on the case.

The airline said in a brief note to employees Tuesday that Parker appeared in Scottsdale City Court on Tuesday morning, a day earlier than planned, "to accommodate his attorney's schedule."

It noted that he pleaded guilty against the advice of Kazan, whose previous DUI clients have included Glen Campbell and former Phoenix Suns star Stephon Marbury.

In addition to the 24-hour jail sentence, Parker, 45, was fined $1,645.25 for pleading guilty to one DUI offense, according to a court official. Another DUI charge, for having a blood-alcohol content over the legal limit, and a speeding charge were dismissed.

Parker also has to schedule an appointment with the Center for Recovering Families to be screened for any alcohol problems that might need treatment.

There will also be restrictions on his driving. A spokeswoman for the state Department of Motor Vehicles said it is typically 30 to 60 days for a first offense in Arizona.

Parker has not spoken publicly about the arrest and was not in his office Tuesday during a previously scheduled event with reporters.

He was charged with driving under the influence after he was pulled over for speeding after leaving the Birds Nest party tent at the FBR Open golf tournament.

The arresting officer noted that Parker's eyes were bloodshot and watery and that his speech was slurred.

Tests showed Parker's blood-alcohol content was 0.096 percent, above the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

This was Parker's third DUI offense. The other two were in Texas two decades ago.

In the statement to employees, the company said Parker accepted "full and total responsibility" for the incident.

"Doug knows he made a serious mistake and has apologized for his actions. He plans to adhere to all of the court-directed repercussions and restitutions that come about from this charge," it said.

"While he completes the judicial process, his focus, and ours, will remain on leading US Airways through its integration efforts and continuing to build a world-class airline."


http://www.sandiegodrunkdrivingattorney.net