Pubdate: Tue, 12 Dec 2000
Source: Chicago Sun-Times (IL)
Copyright: 2000 The Sun-Times Co.
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Author: LYNN ELBER (AP)

DOWNEY CHARGED WITH 2 FELONIES

LOS ANGELES--Robert Downey Jr. was charged Monday with two felony
drug counts and a misdemeanor stemming from his Thanksgiving weekend
arrest at a Palm Springs resort.

The actor, who was arrested only four months after being released
from prison in connection with another drug case, faces a maximum of
six years in state prison on the felonies and a year in county jail
on the misdemeanor if convicted.

He also could face an additional year's imprisonment because he has
served a prior state prison term, according to Riverside County
Assistant District Attorney Sue F. Steding.

Downey, 35, will plead not guilty to the charges, said publicist Alan
Nierob. The arraignment is set for Dec. 27.

The actor's attorneys are continuing their investigation "regarding
the circumstances of Mr. Downey's arrest," Nierob said in a brief
statement Monday.

Downey was arrested Nov. 25 after an anonymous 911 call led police
investigators to a room at Merv Griffin's Resort Hotel and Givenchy
Spa. The police allegedly found Downey with cocaine and
methamphetamine.

Three days later, he returned to work on the Fox series "Ally
McBeal." He was signed to appear in 10 episodes, and the network said
Monday it expects him to complete the work before his court date.

Downey was charged with felony possession of cocaine and the
tranquilizer diazepam, plus a misdemeanor charge of being under the
influence of a controlled substance.

After Downey's arrest last month, his publicist assessed his client's
situation: "He's a recovering addict. Recovering addicts have
relapses. He's working hard at his sobriety as he has for the last 18
months," Nierob said.

Downey's stepmother, Rosemary Rogers Downey, says in the current
issue of People magazine that the actor was diagnosed with bipolar
disorder, known as manic depression, and has not gotten help for it.

"It's the reason he has a hard time staying sober. What hasn't been
tried is medication and intensive psychotherapy," said Rosemary
Downey, who lives with Downey's director-father in New York.