HAMILTON COUNTY (Sept. 2, 2014) – Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of operating while intoxicated.
He had reached a plea agreement in his impaired driving case.
Irsay was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and operating a vehicle with a controlled substance in the body following a March arrest in Carmel. The second charge was dropped as part of the plea deal.
Irsay was sentenced to a year of probation, and his license is suspended for a year. Irsay will undergo drug testing as part of his probation and is prohibited from drinking alcohol. He also has to provide officials with current and valid prescriptions for all of his medication.
Tuesday afternoon, the NFL suspended Irsay for six games and fined him $500,000, the maximum amount allowed under league rules. Irsay is not allowed to represent the Colts at team or league events. He’ll be able to return to the team after its Oct. 9 game against the Houston Texans.
The Colts owner was pulled over for erratic driving near Horseferry Road and Main Street in Carmel on March 16. According to court documents, Irsay had trouble standing up straight and needed to be supported by officers. Prosecutors also found bottles of prescription drugs in his car and about $29,000 in cash. His trial, originally set for Aug. 28, was pushed back to October.
The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office had earlier confirmed that Irsay must be in attendance for Tuesday’s hearing.
Updates from FOX59’s Liz Gelardi, who will have more on the Irsay hearing at 4, 5 and 6 on FOX59 News:
The impaired driving case for Colts owner Jim Irsay is set for a plea hearing today. I'll be in court. #Irsay
— Liz Gelardi (@LizGelardi) September 2, 2014
Spotted an ESPN crew outside the Hamilton County Courthouse. #Irsay
— Liz Gelardi (@LizGelardi) September 2, 2014
Still waiting. Court is in a brief recess. #Irsay
— Liz Gelardi (@LizGelardi) September 2, 2014
Colts owner Jim Irsay pleads guilty to misdemeanor OWI charge stemming from March arrest. Entered plea agreement. #Irsay
— Liz Gelardi (@LizGelardi) September 2, 2014
Judge asked Irsay if this is a long term addiction. He said yes. #Irsay also told the judge he's still receiving treatment.
— Liz Gelardi (@LizGelardi) September 2, 2014
Irsay's license will remain suspended and he will have to be on probation for a year, this includes drug testing. #Irsay
— Liz Gelardi (@LizGelardi) September 2, 2014
Irsay was led down a back staircase but has not exited courthouse yet. Media waiting for him to come out. #Irsay
— Liz Gelardi (@LizGelardi) September 2, 2014
A representative with the NFL attended the hearing & took notes. #Irsay
— Liz Gelardi (@LizGelardi) September 2, 2014
Previous stories:
- Colts owner Irsay reaches plea deal in OWI case
- Judge grants continuance; Jim Irsay trial pushed back to Oct. 30
- Police: Colts’ Irsay had $29K in cash during arrest, could barely stand up