Fired Mets GM Zack Scott found not guilty after DWI arrest
Former New York Mets general manager Zack Scott was found not guilty on the DWI charge that may have cost him his job. Scott was arrested on the charge for a DWI last September. The team fired Scott in November.
Scott was found not guilty of a DWI charge and a charge of driving while ability impaired, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic.
Former Mets executive Zack Scott has been found not guilty of driving while intoxicated and not guilty of the lesser charge of driving while ability impaired in White Plains city court this morning.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) January 6, 2022
Scott was found guilty of two violations, stopping on a highway and disobeying a traffic control device. He received $100 fines for both violations, per Britton.
Scott was arrested in September after officers found Scott sleeping in his car at 4:17 a.m. He refused a breathalyzer and blood test, and reportedly failed a field sobriety exam.
That exam played a significant role in Thursday's ruling. Judge Eric Press concluded Scott performed well in video footage of field sobriety tests.
Scott’s defense centered on body-camera footage of the field sobriety tests.
“Mr. Scott performed the tests in a manner in which no neutral observer would conclude he was drunk, especially to the point of intoxication,” Judge Eric Press concluded. https://t.co/AAMowjYQ4P https://t.co/vIqFNls80H— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) January 6, 2022
The team placed Scott on administrative leave following his arrest. Two months later, the team fired Scott and hired Billy Eppler as its next general manager.
Zack Scott thankful for verdict
Scott released a statement saying he regrets the choices he made the evening of his arrest, and that he's thankful for Thursday's verdict.
Statement from Zack Scott: pic.twitter.com/N5uZFFl9ZS
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) January 6, 2022
Scott also thanked Mets executive Sandy Alderson and wished his "former teammates nothing but the best going forward."
