Features
Bruno Cops A Plea
It’s been a busy week for Bruno Mars what with winning a Grammy and announcing a co-headlining tour with Janelle Monáe. Now he can scratch another item off of his “to do” list – pleading guilty to cocaine possession in exchange for probation, community service and drug counseling.
Mars, whose real name is Peter Gene Hernandez, was arrested during the early morning hours of Sept. 19 while in a bathroom at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. According to the arrest report, an attendant told a security guard Mars was taking a long time in a stall. Once Mars left the stall, the guard confronted him, telling the performer to hand over any narcotics he might be carrying. That’s when Mars produced a bag filled with approximately 2.6 grams of Bolivian marching powder.
While in a holding cell, Mars reportedly told the arresting officer that he had never used drugs before.
Photo: AP Photo
Poses for a booking photo at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas (click on image to see complete photo).
In exchange for Mars pleading guilty, Clark County District Judge Jessie Walsh fined the singer $2,000 and sentenced him to probation, 200 hours of community service plus eight hours with a drug counselor in Los Angeles.
The plea deal comes with the condition that the felony conviction will vanish from his record if Mars stays out of trouble for a year. Else he might end up doing as much as four years in state prison. Mars returns to court Jan. 18.
On Feb. 13, Mars won the best male pop vocal performance Grammy for “Just The Way You Are.” His tour with Monáe begins May 4 in New York City.