Barenaked Ladies singer faces drug charge in N.Y.
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 | 5:00 PM PT
CBC News
Steven Page, the lead singer of the Canadian band Barenaked Ladies, will fight charges of drug possession in upstate New York, the band said on Wednesday.
Steven Page, lead singer of Barenaked Ladies, was arrested on drug charges in New York. (CBC) "Steven has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and the validity of the charges against Steven will be strongly contested," the band said in a statement posted on its official website.
"We want to thank our loyal fans for their continued support during this difficult time."
Page and two women were arrested last week after police allegedly found the trio with cocaine and marijuana in a Fayetteville, N.Y., apartment.
Police said Page and one of the women were arrested on Friday at about 2 a.m. after officers discovered a car with an open door in the driveway of a home. While investigating the vehicle, officers said they observed a man and a woman sitting inside an apartment with a white capsule before them.
According to police, the man and woman had a controlled substance that tested positive for cocaine. Page, 38, was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
The women arrested were Stephanie Ford and Christine Benedicto, who both live on East Genesee Street, where Page was arrested.
The singer was arraigned and released after posting $10,000 US bail. He was initally scheduled to return to court on Thursday, but a court officer said the date has been adjourned until to Aug. 26.
On Tuesday, Page's manager, Terry McBride, refused to comment on the case while it is before the courts.
Until the case is settled, McBride said it will be business as usual for the Barenaked Ladies, who recently released a collection of original children's songs entitled Snacktime and are scheduled to perform at a children's-themed event in Long Island, N.Y., next month.
Barenaked Ladies will return to the studio later this year to begin work on a new full-length album that will celebrate their 20 years together, the band said.
With files from the Canadian Press
