What We Really Know About Ty Pennington's Run In With The Law

Beloved TV host Ty Pennington was one of the biggest stars in home renovation even before the genre truly took off, but over the years, Pennington has faded from view. Though fans might be surprised to learn the real reason we don't hear much from the hunky carpenter these days, suffice to say that he has a lot on his plate, some of it good and some of it not so much. He's certainly lived an extensive, varied life. Luckily for us, in 2020, Variety reported that Pennington was poised to make his triumphant return to our screens come 2021 — and as part of home renovation conglomerate HGTV, no less!

After making his name on TLC's "Trading Spaces" and ABC'S "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," Pennington pivoted to HGTV to host "Ty Breaker." The debut season followed the home renovation expert as he helped needy families either remodel their current homes or create a brand new space elsewhere. "I am so happy to be back in my element on 'Ty Breaker' — helping people to not only love their space but showing them how to live in it," Pennington said in a statement, via Variety. It's encouraging to see the reality star move forward in a positive direction, especially because he had a run-in with the law a few years prior.

In 2007, several outlets reported that "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" host Ty Pennington had been arrested for drunk driving. People reported that Pennington had been pulled over by LA cops shortly after midnight and later released, just before 3 a.m., on $5,000 bail. "I made an error in judgment," Pennington acknowledged in a statement (via People). "We all make mistakes; however, this is about accountability. Under no circumstances should anyone consume alcohol while driving. I could have jeopardized the lives of others and I am grateful there was no accident or harm done to anyone. This was my wake-up call." The TV personality also apologized to his fans and colleagues "for my lapse in judgment and the embarrassment I have caused." 

Per People, the former model was subsequently sentenced to 36 months probation. He also had to pay a $1,500 and attend a 90-day alcohol education program. Pennington pleaded no contest to the drunk-driving charge, reiterating in a follow-up statement that drinking and driving is "never acceptable." Although Pennington sought to put the incident behind him in later years, he did share at the time that he hopes "this experience can help others as much as it has helped me."

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