Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay Arrested

17 Mar, 2014

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, authorities said Monday.

Irsay was arrested Sunday night in the northern Indianapolis suburb of Carmel on preliminary charges of driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Bryant Orem said.

Irsay, 54, is being held at the Noblesville jail under $22,500 bond, Orem said.

Carmel police Lt. Joe Bickel said he couldn’t immediately release details about the arrest because he was still gathering information.

Irsay, who lives in Carmel, became the Colts owner in 1997 after the death of his father, Robert Irsay.

Myra Borshoff Cook, a spokeswoman for Irsay, declined to comment early Monday on his arrest.

Irsay acknowledged in 2002 that he had become dependent on painkillers after several years of orthopedic operations but said he had overcome the problem after undergoing treatment.

Marion County prosecutors said the US Drug Enforcement Administration investigated how Irsay obtained the painkillers. Federal authorities wouldn’t confirm any investigation was taking place. Prosecutors at the time said they saw no reason to charge Irsay.

A plastic surgeon who wrote painkiller prescriptions for Irsay later surrendered his federal permit to prescribe narcotic drugs.

Forbes magazine estimated Irsay’s net worth at $1.6 billion.

AP

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