Al Gore's son pleads guilty in drug case


New, 11:10 a.m.


Al Gore III enters diversion program, whereby charges could be dropped in the future.


By Gillian Flaccus
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Al Gore's son pleaded guilty today to possessing marijuana and other drugs, but a judge said the plea can be withdrawn if he successfully completes an intense drug diversion program in 18 months.

Al Gore III, 24, entered the plea at his arraignment before Orange County Superior Court Judge Jacob Jager.

Jaime Coulter, senior deputy district attorney, said Gore's sentencing will be continued until Feb. 7. If he has complied with all the conditions of the diversion program, the sentencing will be continued again for another year, with charges possibly being dropped in 2009.

"At that point, he will be able to withdraw his guilty plea as if he never entered it," Coulter said.

Authorities have said drugs were discovered in Gore's car after he was pulled over for speeding earlier this month.

Gore pleaded guilty to two felony counts of drug possession, two misdemeanor counts of drug possession without a prescription and one misdemeanor count of marijuana possession, the district attorney's office said.

Gore was allegedly driving a 2006 blue Toyota Prius at about 100 mph. After searching the car, deputies said they discovered less than an ounce of marijuana and a variety of medications, including Xanax, Valium, Vicodin and Adderall. Authorities said Gore did not have a prescription for any of those medications.

The charges stem from the July 4 traffic stop. Gore also was charged with a traffic infraction for allegedly driving faster than 100 mph.

The son of the former vice president and Democratic presidential nominee was previously arrested for marijuana possession in Maryland in 2003, when he was a student at Harvard University. Gore completed substance abuse counseling to settle those charges.

Gore is the youngest of Tipper and Al Gore's four children. He now lives in Los Angeles and is an associate publisher of GOOD, a magazine about philanthropy and aimed at young people.


http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/regstate/articles/8810717.html


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