Was Charles Barkley Driving Under The Influence Even Before New Year's Eve?

Charles Barkley was busted for suspicion of drinking and driving early Wednesday in Scottsdale.
An officer with an Arizona law enforcement task force that targets drunken driving saw the former African American NBA star with political aspirations to run a stop sign around 1:30 a.m.

Seeking to one day run for governor, the brother who at one time insisted that athletes are not role models declined to submit to a breath test but was given a blood test. The results weren't immediately available.

After Barkley was processed, he was cited and released. He left in a cab, Shuhandler said.

Authoriites said there was nothing remarkable about the 45-year-old Barkley's arrest and that it is customary to release people after they've been arrested on suspicion of DUI."There was nothing unusual about how he was taken into custody," said a spokesperson. "He was treated exactly like we treat anybody else."

Barkley was arrested in Scottsdale's Old Town area, one of the trendiest spots in the Phoenix metro area.

A television commentator for NBA games, the former Auburn player was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame last month.

He played 16 NBA seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets, and played on the 1992 and 1996 Olympic teams. Barkley was an 11-time NBA All-Star and league MVP in 1993.

Selected one the NBA's 50 greatest players in 1996, he was inducted into the 2006 Basketball Hall of Fame.

CNN/AP

LA-LA'S MAN CARMELO ANTHONY GETS POPPED WITH A DUI!

Is This Another DWB? Nahhh!

NBA All-Star baller Carmelo Anthony was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence, hours after his worst game of the season.

Police said the African American forward and baby daddy to MTV's La-La's little nugget was initially pulled over for weaving and failing to dim his lights.

After failing a series of sobriety tests, the brotha was ticketed and released at the scene. Denver police don't jail DUI suspects and Anthony was no exception, although how he got home remains a mysteryd.

Anthony is due in court May 14.

Mark Warkentien, the Nuggets' vice president of basketball operations, said the team was aware of the situation but declined comment.

Anthony apologized through his attorney, Dan Recht.

"Carmelo apologizes to his fans, the Denver community, his teammates and the Nuggets organization for the distraction this is causing them," Recht said.

He said Anthony consented to a blood test, but results won't be available for about two weeks.

In the meantime, "Carmelo will try to stay focused on his family and his team," Recht said.

The Nuggets are in the middle of a heated playoff race. They moved a-half game ahead of Golden State for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference on Sunday night when they beat Houston 111-94.

But it was Anthony's worst outing of the season. He was held to 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting against a Rockets team that was missing defensive specialist Shane Battier.

Anthony still managed to extend his NBA-best streak of double-digit games to 206.

On Saturday, he committed a flagrant foul against Utah's Deron Williams that changed he course of a close game, and the Jazz ran away with a 124-97 win.

The Nuggets did not practice on Monday and Anthony wasn't available. He's expected back on the court at practice on Tuesday.

The Nuggets (49-32) can clinch their fifth straight postseason berth by beating Memphis at home on Wednesday night or if the Warriors lose at Phoenix on Monday night or against Seattle on Wednesday night.

Despite his poor game Sunday, Anthony has had another stellar season. He was named an All-Star starter for the first time alongside teammate Allen Iverson, and he's fourth in the NBA in scoring (25.8) and is averaging a career-best 7.4 rebounds.

Last season, he was involved in a brawl at Madison Square Garden. After J.R. Smith was collared on his way to a breakaway bucket in the closing minutes of a rout, Anthony, then the league's leading scorer, dropped the New York Knicks' Mardy Collins with a punch that cost him a 15-game suspension.

In February, Anthony was ticketed in Arapahoe County for driving 25 mph over the posted speed limit. A hearing is set for next month in that speeding case. [Sports Illustrated]

Bow Wow & Vivica Fox Kick The Weekend Off Making Noise And Getting Folks All "Stressed Out"

Black Hollywood's own Vivica A. Fox has pled no contest to DUI charges stemming from an incident last March. Meanwhile, rapper Bow Wow is laid up in a hospital for reasons that still have not been revealed.

When cops pulled over the "Two Can Play That Game" actress she was subsequently arrested after failing a series of field sobriety test and blowing above California's legal limit of .08. As TMZ first reported, cops say Vivica A. Fox was "demeaning" and made several racist comments to arresting officers. The situation got so heated, a patrol sergeant had to be called to the scene. The report says Fox called one officer, who is white, a "racist," and that "Fox then burped quite loudly and [the officer] then aborted the test."She was sentenced to three years probation, must pay a fine and enroll in a 90-day alcohol education program.

Meanwhile Bow Wow was rushed to a Cincinnati hospital Thursday night after a performance there. According to a statement issued by his record label, the 20-year-old rapper is suffering from "stress and exhaustion." They also said that although his tour with Chris Brown, Sean Kingston and Soulja Boy is heading to Chicago tonight, Bow Wow won't be on stage. Sorry Chicago fans, you'll just have to catch him next time.

Death Of Donda West: Dr. Jan Adams Is Feeling The Heat, With Two Past Convictions For DUI

Former Television Personality On "The Other Half", Jan Adams Has Had Problems With Alcohol & Professional Setbacks

Still reeling from the shocking death of Kanye West's mother, Dr. Donda West, more disturbing news is coming out about the tall, dark and handsome Black doctor who performed the plastic surgery operation gone awry. Just like the controversy that swirled around former Grey's Anatomy's star Isaiah Washington, the prognosis does not look good. At all!!!

Patient Claims Dr. Got Her "Knocked Up" In New Lawsuit

TMZ has obtained this booking photo of Dr. Jan Adams and has been digging up all kinds of dirty laundry about the brother. Between the lawsuit for screwing up a boob job, to lying about having the proper credentials, this man's reputation is quickly flatlining. STAT!

Dr. Adams was arrested and booked on March 31, 2006, after pleading no contest to DUI. This was his second drunk driving conviction.This photo was taken after he turned himself in on December 29, 2006. He was released the next day. Adams has quite a history. In addition to his March 2006 arrest, he was arrested in September 2002 after his vehicle lost control and hit a parked car. At the time, Adams told officers on the scene that he lost control of his car when another vehicle failed to stop for a traffic signal. He was unable to provide a description of that car.

Adding to his woes, now old jump-offs are co-signing on how the brother goes Jekyl & Hyde on a sister when he's in addiction mode. We could be wrong, but maybe it's time for Jan to get some help on that 12-step tip. What's Up Doc???

TRACY MORGAN: ANOTHER BLACK MAN GETTING FIRED OFF A HIT TV SHOW!

Last week Black actor, Tracy Morgan of the hit television show “30 ROCK” admitted in court to consuming alcohol on August 4 -- a violation of his probation stemming from a DUI conviction. As a result, Morgan was ordered to wear the SCRAM device an additional 80 days and complete 10 AA meetings by October 23.

If he violates his probation again, Los Angeles City Attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan says Morgan would go to County Jail for 30 days. Morgan violated his probation in Los Angeles when he was arrested for D.U.I. on November 28 of last year in New York.

So after all this trouble and countless warnings, where was Tracy just this last Friday night? … well not home, safe and sober with his wife. Noooo, my man Tracy “I can get my life together” Morgan, was hanging out at a Hollywood club, called Opera. His eyes glossed over like a Diabetic in a candy store.

So we are putting in our prediction now that Tracy will become another Black statistic. File him under... "Lucky Black actors who are too stupid to know they got a good thing and are fired from a hit television show." Isaiah Washington you got company.

BLACK HOLLYWOOD'S VIVICA FOX GETS NEW COURT DATE FOR DUI ARREST

Vivica Fox's arraignment for driving under the influence, which had been scheduled for today, has been postponed to Sept. 5.

The actress is charged with two misdemeanor DUI counts involving her March 2007 arrest. Giving previous statements about accepting responsiblity for her actions, expect a no contest plea to the charge of driving with a .08 blood-alcohol level.

Right now, the lawyers are likely working out the details, including Fox being on probation for 3 years, a fine over $1000 bucks, suspension of her license, an alcohol program, and other terms and conditions.

BREAKING NEWS: NICOLE RICHIE PLEADS NO CONTEST TO DUI, PARIS ADVISES HER ON HOW TO SURVIVE BEING ON LOCKDOWN!

With Joel Madden on her arm and her Black attorney doing all the talking, Nicole Richie arrived at the Glendale, California court house this morning wearing a black dress and dark shades, Nicole plead today to driving under the influence for a second time.

Get ready for another Paris Hilton circus Sheriff Lee Baca.

With a longer probation period, heavier fines ($2,048) a longer suspension of her license and a 21 day alcohol education course, Nicole needs to come to terms with the fact that baby, the party's over. but she already got credit for 6 hours because when she first got arrested she spent 6 hours in jail.

A third conviction will result in a minimum of 120 days in jail. After that, she would be looking at prison. Not daddy Lionel Richie or even her attorney, legal eagle Shawn Chapman Holley, will be able to save her if she doesn't come to terms with her addiction.

Saying that she was very lucky she didn't hurt anyone driving on the wrong side of the freeway, a Glendale Superior Court Judge sentenced Richie to the minimum 4 days in jail, with the bi-racial sister already having 6 hours credit (which in many instances is the equivalent of 1 day).

Thus, the pregnant celebutante will have to serve a remaining 90 hours) of custody time. She must report to serve her time by September 28. In the real world, she would be booked and sent home within hours due to the overcrowding in jail. In the alternative, they would give her a work furlough. Richie is expected to give birth in January.

But this is Hollywood folks, so the sheriff's department now must have Nicole do the full amount of time like Paris Hilton, or risk being accused of giving "The Simple Life" star celebrity justice.

Is this a fair sentence, or do you think Richie is still getting off too easy?

VIVICA FOX DISHES ON PARIS HILTON AND HER OWN DUI ARREST

A more humble, less ghetto Vivica A. Fox arrived at the Daytime Emmy Awards Friday night saying she regrets her arrest for drunken driving.

"It was a huge learning lesson...," Fox said backstage at the Kodak Theatre, where she was a presenter for the television awards show.

The 42-year-old actress was charged in March with misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit.

Set to star in and produce a sequel to "Two Can Play That Game," Fox said she is in the process of resolving her case.

"It was an unfortunate judgment that I am taking full responsibility in," she said. "It is so not worth what you go through for getting a DUI."

Does the sistah feel sorry for Paris? Find out here.

ANKLE BRACELETS HAVE BECOME FASHION'S MUST-HAVE ACCESSORY!

Are DUI'S The New Black?

Sick of Paris Hilton, check out Tracey Morgan's new SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring) device -- an electronic ankle bracelet worn to test for alcohol vapors that exit the skin.

The device tests every 30 minutes for 90 days.

If the '30 Rock' star tests positive for alcohol use, he will have to start his 90 days over, and if he fails a second time he'll be forced to spend 30 days in a county jail.

Tracy Morgan is among a growing number of Black Hollywood celebrities, including Shemar Moore, Eve, Busta Rhymes, Nicole Richie and Vivica Fox, who've been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

While many of their cases are still pending, this ankle bracelet bling just may be the latest fashion statement of Tinseltown's rich and famous.

TMZ

ADD SHEMAR MOORE TO THE GROWING LIST OF BLACK DUI CELEBS

"Criminal Minds" Star In Hot Water

Actor Shemar Moore was arrested last Friday morning on suspicion of DUI in Los Angeles.

TMZ.com is reporting that the former "Young and the Restless" and "Diary of A Mad Black Woman" heartthrob was allegedly pulled over after officers noticed him speeding near Santa Monica Blvd. at 1:30 AM.

After he was stopped, cops reported that Moore "displayed signs of alcohol impairment and a DUI investigation was conducted."

Moore was arrested and transported to a nearby station, where the biracial brother took a breath test. He was later booked and released hours later on $5000 bail.

While Shemar is obviously innocent until proven guilty, it's ridiculous that so many Black celebrities are going down this path. Busta Rhymes, Vivica Fox, Eve, Tracey Morgan, Nicole Ritchie, the list goes on. Come on family, enough is enough!

ALTHOUGH NOT DRIVING, MCNAIR STILL CHARGED IN DUI CASE

We promised you this blog was going to expose all our brothers and sisters who insist on drinking and driving.

This is being done in hopes that these folks and future DUI (Driving while Under the Influence) arrestees will be shamed into acting right. That said, here's the latest -- Steve McNair:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair was charged with DUI even though police said his brother-in-law was behind the wheel of the pickup registered to the former Tennessee Titan.

Although McNair was just a passenger, he was charged under a Tennessee law that prohibits a vehicle owner from allowing their car to be driven by someone who is inebriated.

An officer pulled over McNair's Dodge pickup just before midnight Wednesday because it was speeding. The driver, 31-year-old Jamie Cartwright, allegedly smelled of alcohol, failed a field sobriety test and refused to take a breath alcohol test. Police reports indicate that Cartwright did acknowledge drinking at least two beers.

It may not be a full blown DUI, but "remember yo' momma' telling you be care full who you hang out with."