People

By Guy D. Garcia

Call it Lawstyles of the Rich and Famous. Former Auto Magnate John De Lorean, Singer Wayne Newton and New York Mets Pitcher Dwight Gooden all had ; dates with justice last week. Gooden's brush with the law took place in Tampa, where three cars carrying "Doctor K" and six friends were stopped by local police, who said two of the autos were "weaving." The police said a scuffle took place after Gooden grabbed an officer. The pitcher's response was that police hit him with a flashlight, and he fought back. Afterward, a routine test showed that Gooden's blood-alcohol level exceeded legal intoxication limits. The Met star was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest with violence, and battery on a police officer. The FBI is investigating the possibility that Gooden's civil rights may have been violated. Meanwhile, in a Detroit courtroom De Lorean was acquitted on 15 counts of fraud and racketeering, which could have resulted in a prison sentence as long as 20 years. Upon hearing the verdict, De Lorean declared, "Praise God!" Newton was also in a thankful mood after a federal jury in Las Vegas found NBC guilty of defaming him on news programs and awarded him $19.2 million in damages. Broadcasts in 1980 and 1981 linked the entertainer to organized-crime figures. NBC indicated that it would appeal the verdict. Said Newton to all his fans: "I just want to take this very rare and wonderful moment in my life from me and mine to wish you a very merry Christmas."