Sexual Chocolate seized -- it’s a boat

Lolita Harper

Dennis Rodman, resident bad boy and master of the boards, will surely

rebound from his latest run in with the long arm of the law Sunday

that led to the impounding of his boat.

Rodman’s 47-foot Fountain powerboat, “Sexual Chocolate,” was

impounded Sunday afternoon because he allegedly used a private dock

without permission, Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol Sgt. David

Ginther said.

“I think all it is is a simple boat impound, but it seems to be

hot news,” said Ginther, who fielded various reporters’ calls on

Tuesday.

The manager of a small marina at 2547 W. Coast Highway saw the

unfamiliar boat at the private dock and asked Rodman to move it. The

former Los Angeles Laker refused, so the man called the Harbor

Patrol, Ginther said. Authorities took possession of the boat and

took it to a mooring, where it is being held until somebody comes to

claim it, he said.

Rodman will be charged a $63 fee for towing and $42.30 for each

day the boat stays in impound. As of press time on Tuesday, no one

had picked up the boat, and the fines totaled $143.60.

“Now we are really just waiting for somebody to come and retrieve

it,” Ginther said.

The colorful business owner and former NBA basketball star has had

more than his fair share of run-ins with local authorities. From

arrests on suspicion of drunk driving to alleged assaults, Rodman’s

name has consistently made headlines with some sort of legal battle

or another.

In August 2001, Rodman was slapped with two misdemeanors for

allegedly racing in his flashy boat. Officials waited more than a

month to officially charge him.

On Thursday, Rodman testified in a civil trial that he has no

recollection of meeting a woman who has accused the former NBA star

of drugging her, taking her to his West Newport home and sexually

assaulting her several times in March 2001.

Jo Len McGowen accused Rodman of sexual battery, negligence and

false imprisonment. No criminal charges were filed in the case. The

civil trial is ongoing at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.