Neagle pleads guilty to prostitution charge
GOLDEN, Colo. - Denny Neagle has pleaded guilty to a charge of soliciting a prostitute and was sentenced to 40 hours of community service, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Neagle's lawyer Harvey Steinberg entered the plea on his behalf Tuesday during an unscheduled hearing, district attorney spokeswoman Pam Russell said.
Neagle, who faced up to six months in jail and a fine of $500, did not attend the hearing.
The plea, which comes after a ruling in his favor last week, means Neagle avoids a trial that was scheduled to begin Monday. On Jan. 17, a judge agreed with Neagle's lawyer that a statement the pitcher made to one of the arresting officers couldn't be used against him because he wasn't read his rights.
Neagle was ticketed in the Denver suburb of Lakewood on Dec. 3, 2004, after a woman in his car told police he had paid her $40 for sex. The Colorado Rockies terminated his contract three days later, but later agreed to an undisclosed settlement.
Neagle had $10 million left on his five-year, $51 million contract, along with a $9 million team buyout option. After being cut by the Rockies, he agreed to a minor league contract with Tampa Bay, then was released.
Neagle has a 124-92 career record with a 4.24 ERA in 13 seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees and Rockies. He has not pitched in a major league game since July 2003 because of injuries.
