U.S.

Two Charges For Roger Clinton

February 22, 2001 / 6:38 AM EST / AP

Former President Clinton's half brother was charged with drunken driving following his arrest over the weekend in nearby Hermosa Beach.

Roger Clinton, 44, also was charged Wednesday with disturbing the peace by challenging someone to a fight in a public place.

Clinton allegedly told a nightclub doorman that he would “kick his ass” for refusing to let him back inside, according to Hermosa Beach police spokesman Paul Wolcott.

Clinton was freed on his own recognizance pending his April 2 arraignment on the two misdemeanor counts. He could face up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine if convicted, police said.

A message left for Clinton at his Torrance home was not immediately returned.

Clinton was arrested shortly before 2:30 a.m. Saturday in Hermosa Beach, 18 miles south of Los Angeles. An officer allegedly saw his Ford Expedition hit a curb while making a right turn, stop beyond the limit at two stop signs and straddle the center dividing line.

A breath test indicated Clinton's blood-alcohol level met or exceeded 0.08 percent, the legal limit, authorities said. Police did not release a specific figure.

Less than an hour earlier, police alleged, Clinton tried to re-enter the Lighthouse nightclub after it had closed for the night. Clinton allegedly tried to push his way past a doorman, Wolcott said.

The doorman told police Clinton threatened him several times before patrol officers arrived and sent him on his way.

Clinton is no stranger to legal troubles. He served more than a year in prison after pleading guilty in Arkansas in 1985 to a charge of conspiracy to distribute a single gram of cocaine.

Bill Clinton, who was governor of Arkansas at the time, pardoned him as one of his last acts as president.