Bruno Mars Gets Plea Deal for Drug Case
LAS VEGAS (CBS/AP) Pop star Bruno Mars has agreed to plead guilty in state court on Valentine's Day to a felony cocaine charge that would be cleared from his record if he stays out of trouble for a year.
The 25-year-old singer-songwriter and his defense lawyers said they will not challenge police accounts that he possessed 2.6 grams of cocaine when he was arrested in September at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Joseph Sciscento set the Feb. 14 date for Mars' plea, which is the day after the 53rd Grammy Awards show in Los Angeles.
Mars, whose real name is Peter Hernandez, is nominated for seven Grammy awards including best male pop vocal for his hit, "Just the Way You Are."
Defense lawyer Blair Berk said her client appreciated the chance he was receiving as a first offender.
"We're extremely pleased the charge against Bruno is going to be dismissed," she said.
As part of the plea aggreement, Mars will spend a year on probation, pay a $2,000
fine, perform 200 hours of community service and complete drug
counseling.
