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The singer, whose real name is George O’Dowd, was sentenced to five days of community service and fined $1,000 after appearing in Manhattan Criminal Court early in the day. He was also ordered to attend a drug rehabilitation program.
The charges stemmed from an Oct. 7, 2005, incident when police answered a call at his apartment and discovered 13 bags of cocaine. He was charged with possession. If he’d been convicted, Boy George could have faced 15 years in prison.
Last month Louis Freeman, a lawyer for the performer, maintained his client’s innocence. "He's going to fight (the charges) all the way," Freeman said at the time.
But a subdued Boy George appeared in court Wednesday, where he was admonished by Judge Anthony Ferrara, who warned the singer he could be sent to prison if he gets in trouble again. "Don’t get rearrested,” Judge Ferrara said, and also granted permission for the singer to attend rehab in Britain.
Outside the courtroom, fans and autograph seekers surrounded the singer, but he left without saying anything to reporters.
