Actress Jaime Pressly has spoken out for the first time about her recent double drama, insisting her DUI arrest and impending divorce are not connected.
The Joe Dirt star has pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence (DUI), stemming from an arrest last month (Jan11). She was taken into custody by police in Santa Monica, California on 5 January (11) after struggling to complete a field sobriety test. Her car had initially been pulled over for a suspected traffic violation.
Pressly, who was reportedly almost three times over the legal blood alcohol limit, was released on $15,000 (£10,000) bail and subsequently charged with two counts of DUI.
She entered her plea during a court hearing at a Los Angeles County courtroom on 4 February (11) and is next due in court on 18 March (11).
If convicted, the actress faces up to six months in jail.
Meanwhile, Pressly reportedly owes $637,149 (£424,766) in unpaid taxes. She is also in the midst of divorcing entertainment lawyer Simran Singh.
But she's upset that people are linking her marriage to her other problems - and she wants to protect her three-year-old son from the lies.
She tells U.S. TV news show Extra, "People are thinking my divorce is happening because of the (DUI and tax) situation. Truth is, these are all isolated incidents."
She's also upset about remarks that have been made in the media about her parental skills in the wake of her current issues, stating, "(These are) ridiculously unkind and untrue (allegations). I don't ever want my son to grow up and read all these false statements.
"(My husband and I) fell in love quickly. We got married very quickly. It didn't work out the way we wanted to. There's nothing more to it."