West Wing creator ordered into rehab
The creator of the West Wing television series has been ordered to undergo rehabilitation after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine and magic mushrooms.
Aaron Sorkin, who writes much of the script for the American drama about the White House, was ordered to succeed in kicking drugs or face up to three years and eight months in prison and fines of more than £7,000.
At a brief hearing in a court in Los Angeles, Sorkin agreed to undergo drug treatment and stay clean for two years in return for pleading guilty to the charges, which will be dropped in two years if he passes regular drug tests.
But he was warned that failing routine drug tests would break the deal and he would face a prison sentence and fines.
Sorkin had been arrested at Burbank Airport, near Los Angeles, after security guards found traces of rock cocaine, magic mushrooms and marijuana in his luggage.
He originally pleaded not guilty to the crimes, despite having spoken before of his battle with drugs in the mid-1990s.
Last night, with his wife at his side, he said it was "a relief" to have reached the deal with prosecutors.
"Needless to say, it is a relief to have a resolution regarding my legal situation," said Sorkin.
"I fully intend to proceed as directed by the court and am eager to get back to work and focus on what’s important.
"In addition, I would like to thank my family, friends and colleagues for the tremendous amount of support and encouragement they have provided during this period."
His lawyer, Steve Sitkoff, said the deal meant he had not been convicted of anything.
"He will come back to court periodically and we expect to have the case completely dismissed in the next 18 months," Mr Sitkoff said.
He will face a progress report hearing on December 3, before which his probation officer will have to come up with a treatment and testing programme.
Sorkin had faced no disciplinary action from television bosses after his arrest, which was his first offence.
He will return to work later this year to oversee the third series of the Emmy-winning show, which stars Martin Sheen as president Joshua Bartlett, which will be screened on American television in September.
