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NYC Ballet Chief Pleads Guilty To Lesser Charge

YONKERS, N.Y. (AP) -- A leader of the New York City Ballet has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge after being accused of driving while intoxicated.

Nina Azeez, a Yonkers City Court clerk, said Ballet Master Peter Martins admitted Tuesday to driving while ability impaired. She said he was fined $300 and released.

The 64-year-old Martins was arrested early Jan. 1 at a police checkpoint near his Irvington, N.Y., home. Police said he failed a field sobriety test and refused a breath test.

The ballet company issued a statement saying it was glad the matter had been resolved.

Martins joined the company as a principal dancer in 1970 and became sole director in 1989.

(Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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