COMEDIAN TOMMY CHONG GETS NINE MONTHS IN JAIL
Pittsburg - Tommy Chong, who played one half of the dope-smoking duo in the Cheech and Chong movies, asked for leniency from a judge Thursday but was sentenced to nine months in prison for conspiring to sell drug paraphernalia.
Chong's lawyers argued for no jail time, saying the Edmonton-born actor and comedian would use his celebrity to become a role model against drugs and would dedicate his life to public service. The 65-year-old apologized to the court and his family, saying he "got carried away" with his movie character.
U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence, which included a $20,000 fine.
Chong, father of actor Rae Dawn Chong, said he's been working with youth groups, teaching filmmaking and speaking against drug use. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Houghton said Chong grew wealthy glamorizing drug use and trivializing law enforcement in his films of the late 1970s and early '80s. Houghton also said Chong used the movie persona to promote his catalogue and Internet business.
Chong's lawyers said the actor already has been punished: the case cost him a recurring role on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show and a planned reunion movie with Cheech Marin, with whom he co-starred in comedies including Up in Smoke.
Along with the fine, Chong must forfeit more than $103,000 US. He'll also be on probation for a year after his release. The business, though defunct, was placed on probation for three years and its Internet domain name must be relinquished to federal authorities, along with any remaining paraphernalia.
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1381/a03.html?999
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