Pubdate: Thu, 12 Feb 2004
Source: Daily Freeman (Kingston, NY)
Copyright: 2004 Daily Freeman
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/3269
Website: http://www.dailyfreeman.com/
Author: Hallie Arnold, Freeman staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

GARFUNKEL FACES THE MUSIC

Admits Drug Charge, Pays Fine

HURLEY - Singer Art Garfunkel has pleaded guilty to marijuana
possession and paid a $100 fine, bringing to a close the case that
began with his arrest last month on state Route 28.

Garfunkel's attorney, Kingston lawyer Michael Federoff, was scheduled
to appear in Hurley Town Court on Garfunkel's behalf Wednesday
afternoon but instead entered a guilty plea on Feb. 4, and Garfunkel
paid a $100 fine and a $100 state surcharge, court officials said on
Wednesday. The case originally was to be heard Jan. 28 but was postponed.

Garfunkel, 62, of Manhattan, was charged with unlawful possession of
marijuana, a violation, after the limousine in which he was riding was
pulled over for speeding Jan. 17 on Route 28 in Hurley. The state
trooper who stopped the limo smelled marijuana upon approaching the
vehicle and, during a search, found a bag containing 6 grams of the
drug in Garfunkel's jacket pocket, police said at the time.

The driver of the limo, Ousmane Toure of the Bronx, was ticketed for
speeding.

Garfunkel and his musical partner Paul Simon completed a 30-city
concert tour of the United States in December, and Garfunkel was on
his way to Woodstock when his limo was stopped, police have said.

Simon and Garfunkel recorded five albums as a duo in the 1960s and are
known for such songs as "Mrs. Robinson," "The Sounds of Silence," "The
Boxer" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The 2003 concert tour was
their first in 20 years.

Garfunkel has issued no statement about his arrest, either through
Federoff or his New York City public relations firm, Rogers and Cowan.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake