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Obama's Uncle Loses License For 45 Days In Drunk Driving Case

FRAMINGHAM (CBS) — A judge ordered the drunk driving charge against President Barack Obama's uncle to be continued without a finding for one year Tuesday.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports

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Onyango Obama, the half-brother of the president's late father, was arrested in Framingham in August 2011, after a police officer claimed Obama made a rolling stop at a stop sign and nearly caused his cruiser to crash into Obama's SUV.

Obama then registered 0.14 on a blood-alcohol test, according to police.  The legal limit in Massachusetts is 0.08.

At a hearing in Framingham District Court Tuesday morning, Obama's attorney told the judge there are sufficient facts in the case against his client.

By agreeing to the continuance without a finding, Obama avoids pleading guilty to drunk driving and the charge will be dismissed, if he stays out of trouble for one year.

Two other charges against him were dismissed.

But, Obama will lose his drivers license for 45 days.  He also must pay $1,000 in fines and fees.

"By admitting to sufficient facts today to operating under the influence and failure to yield at an intersection, the defendant has admitted responsibility for the essence of the crime he committed and has now been held accountable for his actions," District Attorney Gerry Leone said in a statement.

Obama's arrest last year also caught the attention of immigration investigators who claim he violated a 1992 order to return to Kenya.

His case is still before the immigration court.

"This proceeding today should have little, if any, impact on his immigration status," Obama's attorney Scott Bratton told reporters Tuesday.

Obama has been in the United States since 1963 when he came to Massachusetts on a visa from Kenya.  He attended to Buckingham Browne & Nichols in Cambridge,  graduated from Newton High School, and went to Boston State College, according to his attorney.

Bratton said Obama came here legally and stayed, but he just never filled out the proper paperwork.

Obama will be allowed to return to his current job at a liquor store in Framingham.

He did not speak to reporters after leaving court Tuesday.

Bratton said he and his client have not had contact with the White House regarding the drunk driving case.

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