Rich Norwegian fined $109,000 for drunk driving

[May 13, 2009]  OSLO (AP) -- A rich Norwegian has been ordered to pay a 700,000 kroner ($109,000) fine after driving his car 400 yards while drunk.

Police stopped the 49-year-old man in October near the airport for southern Norway's Kristiansand. Tests showed he had a blood alcohol content of .188 percent. Norway's maximum is .02 percent.

The man pleaded guilty in court on Tuesday.

Norwegian courts set drunken driving fines based on income and personal wealth. Tuesday's ruling said the man's income is 751,769 kroner ($117,000) and personal wealth is 228 million kroner ($36.6 million).

It also revoked his license for two years and three months.

[Associated Press]

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