Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Pittsburgh Pirates president Frank Coonelly
is facing four drunken driving-related charges stemming from an incident on
December 22.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported the charges and the Pirates released a
statement from Coonelly on Thursday.
"My actions that evening were irresponsible and wrong," Coonelly stated. "I
take full and sole responsibility for them. There is no excuse for ever
driving under the influence of alcohol."
According to the paper, the 51-year-old Coonelly was arrested by Ross Township
police and was charged with drunken driving, driving the wrong way, careless
driving and driving with a blood-alcohol content of at least twice the state's
legal limit of .08.
The DUI charges are misdemeanors, while driving the wrong way and careless
driving and are summary offenses.
Coonelly, who was named to his current position in September 2007, waived his
right to a preliminary hearing on February 1 and was released on his own
recognizance. His arraignment is March 20 in Allegheny County Common Pleas
Court.
The Sports Network