LAWRENCEBURG, Ky — Former Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie pleaded guilty Monday to driving under the influence of alcohol.
Gillispie was given the maximum penalty for a first-time offense in Anderson County, which included a fine of a little more than $1,000, a 30-day suspension of his license and orders to complete an Alcohol Drivers Education Program.
During the brief hearing, Gillispie gave one-word answers to questions from the judge about whether he understood his rights and the plea agreement. Afterward, Gillispie and his attorney traveled to an undisclosed location to fill out paperwork.
Gillispie was fired this year after a rocky two-year tenure with the Wildcats. He was arrested Aug. 27 in Lawrenceburg and charged with DUI after refusing sobriety tests during a traffic stop in which officers said they smelled alcohol on his breath.
Gillispie, who wore a dark suit and yellow tie to the hearing, apologized for his actions through a statement issued by his attorney, William Patrick.
"I made a mistake and admitted my mistake today to Judge (Linda) Armstrong. I accept the penalty she has imposed," he said in the statement. "I want to apologize to the people of Kentucky, my family and friends, and I want to thank all of those who have reached out to me over the past several months with kind words of encouragement and support."
Anderson County Attorney Bobbi Jo Lewis declined to comment at the hearing, but sent out a statement in which she called the penalty "fair and equitable."
"Mr. Gillispie has been treated the same as any other person who appears before the Anderson District Court charged as he was — no better and no worse," Lewis said.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
Local Sports
Gillispie pleads guilty to DUI charge in Ky.
- Local Sports
-
-
16th Region baseball draw: Wide Open Stance
The consensus with the coaches at the 16th Region baseball tournament draw is that the field is wide open.
-
16th Region softball draw: All maroon at high noon
The 16th Region softball tournament will open up with a bang on Monday.
-
Different Meade, same title
Make it three in a row for the Meade brothers of Ashland.
-
Escape artists
Russell’s latest district softball championship may be remembered as the Great Escape.
-
Region, softball tournament draws Friday
The 16th Region baseball and softball tournament pairings will be drawn on Friday morning at 9 at Rowan County Senior High School.
-
Boyd County finally bests rival
Boyd County’s proud softball program has been aching for a victory over archrival Ashland.
-
AARON SNYDER: Former Kitten joins the Bulldogs
Former Ashland basketball player and assistant coach Angie Johnson is donning a new shade of red.
-
Boy oh Boyd
Boyd County finally found the easy button.
-
Youngman resigns after one season
After one season, Jim Youngman has resigned as Greenup County’s boys basketball coach.
-
62nd District: Raiders round up another
If the 16th Region is looking for a baseball dynasty, then the best possible answer could lie in the 62nd district.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
16th Region baseball draw: Wide Open Stance




