Canada: Molson-Coors Brewing Co.’s director pleads guilty to lesser charge of driving while ability impaired

Pete Coors, the vice chairman and a director of Molson Coors Brewing Company, pled guilty to a reduced charge August 25. Coors was arrested in May 2006 and faced multiple charges, including DUI.

Coors entered a guilty plea to a charge of driving while ability impaired August 25, a lesser charge than DUI. As a result of this plea, Coors had his license suspended for three months from the date of his arrest. In addition, he must also perform 24 hours of community service.

The judge suspended a $200 fine, but ordered Coors to participate on a panel sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The Coors Brewing Company released the following statement:

"In a court hearing today, Pete Coors pleaded guilty to DWAI (driving while alcohol impaired). His sentence includes the following: payment of court costs, 24 hours of community service, and he will undergo an alcohol assessment. Pete and Coors Brewing Company are committed, more than ever, to the responsible enjoyment of our products. Our company will continue to speak on this issue and work with others who care about alcohol responsibility. In that regard, nothing has changed.""

Coors was initially facing charges including driving under the influence and failure to stop at a stop sign. He pled not guilty to these charges in July.

Beer executive, Pete Coors, was pulled over by a state patrol trooper late on the night of May 28th after the 59-year-old left a friend's wedding. Company spokeswoman Kabira Hatland has said Coors rolled through a stop sign a block from his Golden home and was stopped by the officer in his driveway. She says his blood-alcohol content after a breath test was 0.088. The legal limit is 0.08.

Molson Coors Brewing Company is one of the world's largest brewers, with combined annual volume of more than 48 million hectoliters and net sales of more than US$5.6 billion. Molson Coors is a leading brewer in Canada through Molson Canada and in the U.K. through Coors Brewers Ltd., and has a growth profile in the U.S. through Coors Brewing Company.

Founded by pioneering families and tracing its roots back to 1786, Molson Coors Brewing Company has over 11,000 employees worldwide, 10 breweries in three different countries, and a broad portfolio of over 40 brands, including Molson Canadian, Coors Light and Carling.

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