FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts drunken driving charge against President Barack Obama's uncle will be dismissed if he stays out of trouble for a year, officials said Tuesday.
Onyango Obama, 67, admitted to sufficient facts at a hastily scheduled hearing Tuesday. That means he didn't plead guilty but acknowledged Massachusetts prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him. A judge continued the case for one year without a finding, meaning if he does not get arrested during that time, the charge will be dismissed. A judge also ordered him to attend a driver alcohol education program.
Onyango Obama is the half brother of the president's late father. He was arrested in Framingham in August after a police officer said he made a rolling stop at a stop sign and nearly caused the officer's cruiser to crash into Obama's sport utility vehicle. Police said Obama registered 0.14 on a blood-alcohol test, above the state's legal limit of 0.08.
On Tuesday, the judge ordered him to give up his driver's license for 45 days. But his lawyer said he will apply for a hardship license to allow him to drive to and from his job as the manager of a liquor store in Framingham. Two other traffic violations were dismissed.