SEN LUGAR'S 40-YEAR-OLD SON FACES POT POSSESSION CHARGE

Greenfield, Ind.--Sen. Richard G. Lugar, informed Thursday of the
arrest of his 40-year-old son on a marijuana possession charge, said
he "remained hopeful" that his son had not made a "very serious error."

A Hancock County sheriff's deputy said he found a bag of marijuana in
Robert G. Lugar's Jeep when the vehicle was stopped Wednesday for an
expired license plate.

Lugar, who is McCordsville's town manager, was charged with felony
marijuana possession. He was released Thursday on $200 bond after
appearing in Hancock Circuit Court.

Robert Lugar was arrested on Hancock County Road 800 North, not far
from his Northeastside Indianapolis home.

Deputy Troy Cross stopped Lugar about 9 a.m. Wednesday, said Hancock
County Sheriff Nick Gulling. After the stop, the deputy said, he
smelled marijuana and asked to inspect the interior of the Jeep.
Lugar complied, and the deputy allegedly found a bag under a floor mat
on the passenger side of the Jeep. The bag contained about 36 grams
of marijuana, Gulling said. "He said he didn't know where it came
from," Gulling said.

Lugar was traveling alone. Lugar was held overnight in the Hancock
County Jail. He entered a not guilty plea to the charge of marijuana
possession over 30 grams, a Class D felony.

Robert Lugar's attorney, John L. Davis, said his client was "a little
shocked" about the arrest. Robert Lugar has been McCordsville's town
manager since January 1999. He formerly worked for Indianapolis Water
Co., where in the mid-1990's he proposed that the utility provide
service to the town of 1,125 in northwestern Hancock County.

As town manager, he was hired to help the town with the construction
of a sewage treatment plant.

His father, Sen. Lugar, is seeking a fifth term in the November
general election against Democrat David Johnson.

Thursday, the senator was campaigning in Indiana. Through a
spokesman, the senator issued a statement: "Char (Richard Lugar's wife)
and I are proud of the achievements of each of our four sons. We
strongly support them as they have become good parents and good
citizens. "We are deeply troubled to learn of the arrest of our son,
Bob, for possession of marijuana in Hancock County. We have told out
sons of the importance of abstaining from any use of illicit drugs,
and we have reinforced that advice by precept and example. "We respect
the proper course of law enforcement and court activity in Hancock
County but remain hopeful that our son has not made a very serious
error," the senator said.