The New York Mets had moved on from general manager Zack Scott in November after his DWI arrest in August. They were eager to wait until the results of the legal process were ready to make a decision on whether or not to keep him, but once it was postponed, they opted to fire him and eventually replace him with Billy Eppler.
Scott’s fate was announced on Thursday: he was found not guilty of his DWI charges, and he was also deemed not guilty of driving while ability impaired. Instead, he will need to pay $100 in fines for stopping on a highway and disobeying a traffic control device.
The former Mets’ GM said the following, via a statement:
“I am thankful for today’s verdict. Nonetheless, I regret choices I made on August 31, resulting in circumstances that led to my arrest.
Thank you to my attorneys, friends, professional associates, and most importantly, my family for supporting me through this process.
Professionally, I’m grateful to Sandy Alderson for the opportunity to lead baseball operations for the Mets and wish my former teammates nothing but the best going forward.
I believe this humbling experience will make me a better husband, father, son, friend, and leader, and I look forward to what the future holds.”
Bruce Bendish, Scott’s attorney, also released a statement:
“Today, after hearing and seeing all the evidence against our client, a judge in the White Plains City Court acquitted Zack Scott of all criminal charges against him. We are grateful for the judge’s diligent attention and consideration of the evidence, and believe he arrived at the only conclusion possible. While we understand and appreciate the reasons why the police officers suspected that Mr. Scott was driving while intoxicated, and respect their decision to place him under arrest, the simple fact was that Mr. Scott was not intoxicated or impaired by alcohol that evening. Rather, the evidence showed conclusively that Mr. Scott’s ability to operate a car was in no way impaired by alcohol.”
Mets’ president Sandy Alderson had referred to the team’s decision to dismiss Scott, saying:
“Just the general uncertainty around the situation that he faced, and not knowing how that uncertainty would be resolved in December. I think we felt that it was just best for us and potentially for him as well that we made that decision. I’ve talked to him, wished him well. He’s a good man.”