Skilling arrested in Dallas, accused of public intoxication

The Chronicle is reporting that ex-Enron CEO Jeff Skilling was arrested and accused of public intoxication in Dallas earlier this month — but he won't go to jail for violating the terms of his bond. Skilling was arrested in the early morning of Sept. 9 in the 3600 block of McKinney Avenue; he wasn't drinking at the time and didn't resist arrest. Public intoxication, a Class C misdemeanor, carries a fine of up to $500; Skilling got a $385 ticket and was briefly held in a city jail.

Skilling reported the incident to pre-trial services the following day and the court required him to visit mental health and alcohol treatment counselors more often. "Jeff is doing the very best he can to deal with a nearly impossible situation," Daniel Petrocelli, Skilling's lawyer, told the Chronicle. Prosecutors didn't comment.

As the Chron notes, this is Skilling's second alcohol-related legal incident since he was indicted. In April 2004, he got into a fight with people in a New York cigar bar; witnesses said he accused some patrons of being FBI agents and tried to lift a woman's blouse to see if she was wearing hidden recording equipment. Skilling's blood alcohol level then was found to be .019, and he was ordered to join an alcohol treatment program and perform community service.

Skilling has 21 days from the date of the arrest to pay his fine and enter a plea.