On Friday (August 29) Cee Lo Green entered a plea of no contest for the felony count of furnishing a controlled substance of MDMA/ecstasy to a woman without her awareness during a dinner in 2012.
In a brief court hearing, the singer, who was born Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, changed his plea from not guilty to no contest before a preliminary hearing that would have disclosed the evidence that was brought against him.
In October 2013, “The Voice” judge originally plead not guilty to the charges. Despite entering a no contest plea, Billboard reports that Green entered a special plea maintaining his innocence.
According to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Green slipped the drug to a 33-year-old woman while the two were at a restaurant between July 13 and July 14, 2012. When the charges were originally filed, the woman, who hasn’t been named, alleged that she woke up to find herself naked in bed with Green in her hotel room. But the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division did not file charges against Green for sex-related crimes due to lack of evidence.
Blair Berk, Green’s attorney, asserted that the sexual relations between the pair were consensual.
Superior Court Judge Mark Young sentenced the 39-year-old singer to 360 hours of community service, along with three years of probation. He must also register as a controlled-substance offender and attend 52 AA meetings with a private therapist. He won’t be prevented from traveling for work-related trips.
Green’s community service will take place at MusiCares Foundation of the Recording Academy, a center for troubled youth.
“Cee Lo had faith that if true facts were known, the district attorney would reject those charges,” Berk said.
Green will is slated to appear in court again on March 2 to report on his progress.
No Comments