Poundstone Was in Rehab, Says Lawyer

By Stephen M. Silverman

07/09/2001 at 10:21 AM EDT

Comedian Paula Poundstone, 41, arrested on child endangerment charges in Malibu two weeks ago, was in a live-in alcohol rehabilitation program at the time she was taken into custody, her attorney revealed on Monday's edition of ABC's "Good Morning America." The political satirist pleaded not guilty to child endangerment charges in a Santa Monica, Calif., courtroom last week. "Paula has had an intermittent alcohol problem that's existed for a while," lawyer Steven Cron said. "Recently it became more than she felt she could handle. So together with her family, before these charges came to light, they made the decision as a family that she was going to go into a live-in alcohol rehabilitation program." Poundstone currently faces four felony charges: three counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14, and one count of child endangerment on four other children. If convicted of all charges, she could face up to 13 years and four months in prison. Cron, declining to detail the charges against his client, said that "her involvement with alcohol was the basis for the allegations. Nevertheless, Paula is adamant, and I am firmly of the belief, that she is not guilty of the charges of lewd conduct." Poundstone is due to return to court for a preliminary hearing on July 30.