Donnie Wahlberg, lead singer and "bad boy" of New Kids on theBlock, agreed to make public-service announcements on fire safety anddrugs in return for eventual dismissal of a charge stemming from ahotel fire.
Under an agreement between prosecutors and Wahlberg's lawyers,an arson charge was reduced to criminal mischief. The case will beon hold until the 21-year-old singer completes the public service.
He originally faced up to 20 years in jail on the first-degreearson charge. Wahlberg was arrested March 27 after a hallway fire inthe historic Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, Ky., where he was staying.There were no injuries and only a small patch of carpet was burned.
During a night hearing that was hastily announced, DistrictJudge James M. Green lectured Wahlberg.
"I try not to say much in these situations . . . but this is aterrible situation, and you're a very lucky young man," Green said."This is a great deal. I hope you make us proud." As part of theagreement, Wahlberg "accepted responsibility" for the fire.
"I want to apologize to the people of Louisville," saidWahlberg. "I think, as everyone agrees, this is a most unfortunateincident. It's been a very ugly incident."
He added, "I'm very excited and very much welcome doing thesepublic-service announcements, which is what I've been doing, which isvery much what my career is based on."
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