Rey Maualuga charged with DUI


By
 in ,

Former USC football star and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga has pleaded not guilty to charges of drunken and careless driving on January 29th. Maualuga was arrested by police at 3:11 a.m. Friday morning in northern Kentucky after hitting a parking meter and two parked cars, Covington police said.

After being held at the Kenton County jail for seven hours, Maualuga was released and ordered to return for a hearing next month.

Maualuga, 23, was driving a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire at the time of the accident which caused only minor damage. His blood alcohol level was reported to be twice the legal limit and he admitted to police that he had about six alcoholic drinks earlier that night.

A police report states that Maualuga had slurred speech, blood eyes and was unsteady on his feet.

Two females, a 17 year-old and an 18 year-old, were also in the car with him at the time of the incident, but neither were arrested.

Maualuga started at linebacker for USC for three years where he had 273 career tackles, 22.5 tackles for losses, nine sacks and five interceptions.

He was chosen 38th overall in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals where he signed a four-year deal worth $4.66 million, which included $2.84 million in guaranteed money.

He started 15 games for Cincinnati in his first season before breaking his left ankle Dec. 27 against the Kansas City Chiefs.