UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (AP) — Olympic gymnastics champion Paul Hamm (hahm) has pleaded not guilty to assault and two other misdemeanor charges in Ohio.
He is accused of kicking a taxi driver in suburban Columbus, damaging a cab window and refusing to pay a $23 fare. He was heard on video telling police he’d had about eight drinks.
Defense attorney Bill Meeks said before the plea was filed that he had no comment from Hamm.
Hamm had been an Ohio State assistant gymnastics coach since June but was fired after his arrest in September.
He’s the only American man to win the Olympic (2004) and world (2003) all-around titles. He announced a comeback last summer in hopes of making it to the 2012 Games in London and has been recuperating from shoulder surgery since January.
