NY Post Page Six Editor Busted on DWI

N.Y. Post Page Six Editor Busted on DWI NEW YORK Jun 2, 2006 (AP)— The headline in the New York Post’s Page Six gossip column might read, “Editor busted after boozing at exclusive club.” Or maybe not, since this story is about Page Six editor Richard Johnson. Johnson, 52, was charged Friday with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle while impaired. Police said they spotted him talking on his cell phone just after midnight while driving a 2005 black Ford Escape in the Meatpacking District. When police approached Johnson’s sport utility vehicle, he appeared to have slightly slurred speech, watery and bloodshot eyes and alcohol on his breath, according to a criminal complaint. Police arrested Johnson after he refused to take an alcohol breath test. He was arraigned late Friday morning in Manhattan Criminal Court and released on his own recognizance, authorities said. Johnson declined to comment. His lawyer, Edward Hayes, said Johnson went to a party with his wife at the SoHo House, a private club. “He was pulled over because he was talking on his cell phone and driving, there was no accident, he was not driving recklessly, he may have had a beer too many but we need to see the video of his arrest before we decide what to do,” Hayes said in an e-mail. Johnson has been on the wrong side of the spotlight already this year. One of his former writers, Jared Paul Stern, was accused of trying to shake down billionaire Ron Burkle for a $220,000. Burkle says the money would have ensured that Stern portrayed the California businessman in a favorable light in the well-read Page Six column. Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=2034633