Richie Sambora To Be Charged With Child Endangerment
April 15, 2008

A very bad and embarrassing night for Richie Sambora got significantly worse today when police recommended to prosecutors that the guitarist for Bon Jovi be charged with DUI and child endangerment - both as misdemeanors - as a part of his arrest on March 25th. People reported this week that a source close to the case confirmed that the recommendation for child endangerment would be in Richie Sambora's future. Last week, the case was handed over to the Orange County California District Attorney's Office by Laguna Beach Police, but there have been no formal charges yet.

DA spokeswoman Farrah Emami told People this week, "Because the case is under review, I can't discuss the details. Ultimately, we have to base our decision on the available evidence." The magazine notes that if Richie Sambora is accused of both misdemeanors, child endangerment and DUI, then he is likely to serve time behind bars.

Veteran DUI lawyer Lawrence Taylor tells People, "Assuming Sambora was driving with over a .08 blood-alcohol level with a passenger under 14 in the car, he's looking at probable jail time. But it's possible this can be plea bargained to a lesser offense, and/or he could get rehab in lieu of jail."

On March 25th, Richie Sambora was arrested in Laguna Beach after he was spotted driving unsteadily in his Hummer. When he was pulled over, he was driving with his girlfriend, Jenn Mallini, and his daughter, Ava, who is only ten years old, and the offspring he had with ex-wife Heather Locklear. Ava's teenage cousin was also in the car. People reports that Richie Sambora has been on his best behavior since the arrest, partying at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas over the weekend but drinking only water, after a sold-out show by Bon Jovi at the MGM Grand. An onlooker tells People, "He was in really good spirits, having a really good time. He seemed happy and content."

This isn't the first time that Sambora has made headlines for drinking. He entered a treatment facility in June of 2007 and said during a recent Today show appearance, "I was just drinking too much and I needed to get my life together. I'm still in therapy and stuff like that, but it's good. I'm great. I feel fine." Things have not been good lately for Sambora, despite the continued success of Bon Jovi. In his personal life, Sambora saw his relationship with girlfriend Denise Richards end after about a year and his divorce from Locklear was finalized in April, the same month that his father died of lung cancer. Richie Sambora is still scheduled to play with Bon Jovi in Denver on Monday.

Bon Jovi is one of the biggest bands of the last quarter-century, releasing 10 albums in a row that have sold more than 3 million copies worldwide and four albums that sold ten million plus. Their last eight CDs all peaked in the top ten with three number ones, including last year's Lost Highway. Slippery When Wet was one of the biggest hits of the '80s, selling a ridiculous 28 million copies worldwide and the band is still popular to this day with Bounce and Have a Nice Day opening in the number two slot and Lost Highway at number one. Every album in the history of Bon Jovi has gone at least platinum in the States. Top ten singles include "You Give Love a Bad Name," "Wanted Dead or Alive," "Livin' On a Prayer," "Bad Medicine," "Born to Be My Baby," "I'll Be There For You," "Lay Your Hands on Me," "Livin in Sin," "Bed of Roses," and "Always".