Barenaked Ladies' Steven Page has managed to cut a very reasonable deal in relation to those previously reported drugs charges, incurred back in July in Fayetteville, New York. The deal is the result of extensive negotiation between the Onondaga County District Attorney's office and lawyers for Page, his girlfriend Christine Benedicto and her roommate Stephanie Ford, and has resulted in an agreement that will result in Page's acquittal, as long as he stays out of trouble for the next six months.
Page, Benedicto and Ford were arrested, of course, after Fayetteville officers found a suspiciously parked car with the driver's door open. Investigating further, they knocked on the door of the nearby apartment, were invited inside by Page and Ford, and subsequently found them in possession of cocaine. Lawyer Mark Mahoney said in relation to the deal regarding the subsequent charges: "We are very appreciative of the fact the district attorney's office... was sensitive to the fact that this was simply a charge of possession, everyone has a clean record and the exemplary performance of all the accused since the time of the arrest".
Page himself read out a statement expressing his gratitude and apologising for his actions. "The respect and responsibility I have earned over the course of my life and my career thus far are important to me and I am moving forward from this with gratitude and with hope. I also apologize to all of those I have hurt or embarrassed during this episode. It has meant a great deal to me to be shown the impact I have on others' lives, from people on the street who've stopped me to share their support and encouragement, to those friends and loved ones closest to me who've opened their homes and their hearts, I am deeply moved and thankful. The greatest gift a person can know is to not go through their life alone and I am fortunate enough to have been afforded that gift".