More alcohol treatment for former energy czar

VENTURA A probation violation hearing for exCalifornia energy czar
Charles Imbrecht was postponed because he was back in an alcohol treatment
program for the third time since an August drunken driving arrest.

Municipal Judge Charles Campbell agreed Tuesday to postpone the hearing
until Nov.17. If lmbrecht Is found in violation of his drunken driving
probation it would be the second time he could be jailed indefinitely.

"We're going to see what his progress is at that point," attorney William
Tomasi, who represents Imbrecht, said outside court. The lawyer hopes
Campbell will allow Imbrecht to avoid more jail time.

Early last month, the former state official checked himself into a 60day
residential rehabitation program near his Sacramento home. It was his
third stay in such a program.

"Incarcerating someone for having a disease isn't the answer. He's not
driving around. He's not a threat to society," Tomasi said.