MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT — New York Public Library President Anthony Marx pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated Friday after plowing his NYPL-issued Audi into a parked car in East Harlem last month.
He was found to be twice the legal limit.
Marx was sentenced to six months license revocation, and ordered to attend 16 counselling sessions and complete the standard state drunk driving program. He must also have an ignition interlock device installed on any car he owns or operates, which is now a standard sanction for all DWI offenders in New York State.
The 52-year-old library head was stopped by police at about 3 p.m. on Nov. 6 after he hit a parked car on East 138th Street between Madison and Fifth avenues. A breathalyzer test found he had a blood alcohol content of .19, more than twice the legal driving limit of .08.
"This is a misdemeanor. It will give you a criminal record in the state of New York. Is that what you want to do today?" Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Schecter said when accepting Marx's guilty plea.
Marx, who wore a navy blazer and calmly answered a series of standard guilty plea questions, said, "yes, your honor" and then took a seat in the courtroom to wait for paperwork.
He declined to comment as he exited the criminal courthouse Friday morning with his attorney, Daniel Parker.
"The New York Public Library is satisfied that the incident has been resolved and looks forward to the important work ahead for Dr. Marx and the Library," a spokesperson from the library said in a statement.
Marx issued a formal apology following the DWI incident and was allowed to keep his position.
"I deeply regret embarrassment caused to my family and to The New York Public Library. My focus now will be on moving forward and assuring that this incident does not detract from the important work and mission shared by all my colleagues," Marx previously said.
It is unclear whether he will face sanctions by the library's Board of Trustees.
Marx took the reins at NYPL in July, replacing Dr. Paul LeClerc, who had served as the organizations head for more than 17 years.
Marx, an Inwood native, now lives in Morningside Heights with his two children and wife, Columbia professor Karen Barkey.
