CLEVELAND – R&B singer Gerald Levert (search) has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts stemming from a confrontation with police during a traffic stop five months ago.
Levert apologized in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday and admitted to charges of assault and attempted obstruction of official business. He was fined $2,000 and put on probation for one year.
Police said Levert, 39, of suburban Newbury Township, and a passenger in his car, James Austin Jr., of Canton, intervened when authorities stopped a friend of Levert's for speeding at 12:45 a.m. Feb. 25.
Austin pleaded guilty to a felony count of assault on a police officer and a misdemeanor count of attempted obstruction of official business.
Cuyahoga County assistant prosecutor Michelle Earley said the assault charge against Austin was more severe because he threw a punch. No sentencing date was set for Austin.
Levert is the son of Eddie Levert (search), a founding member of The O'Jays (search), a longtime R&B group. Gerald Levert became lead singer of the trio Levert in 1985. He began his solo recording career in 1991.
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