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Celebrity Justice
Sprouse Manager Convicted of Molestation

Posted Mar 3rd 2008 4:37PM by TMZ Staff

Child star manager Josh Werkman has pleaded no contest to misdemeanor child molestation and misdemeanor sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor.

Werkman entered his plea in on Friday in Ventura County Superior Court. He will be sentenced on April 2.

Werkman manages Cole and Dylan Sprouse, the twin stars of the Disney Channel's "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody." The twins were NOT involved in the case.

Werkman is also CEO of Merimark Entertainment and served as producer on the Sprouse twins' two most recent movies.

Calls to Merimark for comment were not immediately returned. Reps for the Disney Channel had no comment.

Law enforcement tells us Werkman was initially arrested for felony sexual battery by restraint. Sources tell TMZ the alleged victim is a 16-year-old male.

Werkman's lawyer, Steve Cron, says "Josh admitted he annoyed an individual who is a minor and provided that person with alcohol on the day in question. He acknowledged that he used bad judgment on that occasion and that is why he pleaded no contest to the two charges."

UPDATE: TMZ spoke with the prosecutor in the case, Rameen Minoui, who tells us that Werkman must register as a sex offender, and could face up to one year in jail.

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1. it doesnt make them gay and its terrible although the alchohol part un2 itself isint so bad cause they should end drinking ages

Posted at 3:26PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by todd lissner anti adult anti wholesomeness activist-----

2. Creepy McStalker

Posted at 3:24PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by FlBiker

3. No where does it say these boys are gay....what the heck is wrong w/you???

Their manager is the one TMZ is talking about here. IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 3:27PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by me

4. He agreed to plead guilty to child molestation when all he really did was provide alcohol to, and "annoy," a young boy.... Riiiiiight......

Jizy, you're sick and pathetic.

Posted at 3:27PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by stating the obvious

5. Disney isn't what it used to be. Poor Walt is spinning like crazy.

Posted at 3:26PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by My 2ยข

6. This is so shocking! Here's another example of why we don't want our children to work in the movie industry.

Posted at 3:28PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by BamaShay

7. These boys are not gay!! Its very sad that someone thinks molestation is an "annoyance" that can be smoothed over with alcohol... this man should go to jail - and it has nothing to do with Zach & Cody, thank God they arent old enough to be the victim in this!

Posted at 3:30PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by steph

8. Jizy........................please read the text before you comment you idiot! This is exactly how rumors get started. The twins are children and an innocent party to all this.

Posted at 3:33PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Kelli

9. Doesn't surprise me.
Expect the unexpected in Show Biz these days.

Posted at 3:41PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by McKenna

10. Jizy needs to learn how to read and comprehend what he/she reads......IDIOT...Go back to school.

Posted at 3:41PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by me

11. TMZ does these kids no favors by having their picture posted with this story. It has NOTHING do to with them. In fact, it's downright libelous. As for the manager, he's a sick person who should be in jail. I hope his victim is in treatment and getting the help he deserves.

Posted at 3:46PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Done

12. Kelli,
Anytime I happen to check in on this website, you are on every link I view. Please be honest, do you do this 24/7 because it has been different days and times when I randomly come on here.

Just wondering.

Posted at 3:47PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by teresa

13. JIZY GETTING MOLESTED DOESNT MEAN YOU ARE GAY...IT MEANS SOMEONE FORCED THEMSELVES UPON YOU AN MOLESTED YOU....THERE ARE A LOT OF PERVS OUT THERE PREYING ON YOUNG CHILDREN THEY ARE COMING OUT OF THE WOODWORK THESE DAYS...ITS REDICULOUS

Posted at 3:56PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by nuff_said

14. Jizy-- they are children! I hope your kids never get molested.

Posted at 3:55PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Ali

15. Some of you idiots are so sick your really are. To make fun of kids that may or may not have been molested. Where is your soul? Parents need to always be very concerned with an adult who plays with children too closely, or lives alone and has all the kiddies games. An adult who prefers being around children than adults is someone to look out for. Kinda like R-Kelly. Or some of these heartless freaks who thinks its funny.

Posted at 4:06PM on Mar 3rd 2008 by Lets play

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