Peak Receives Probation After Pleading No Contest to Reckless Driving Charge

After pleading no contest to one misdemeanor count of reckless driving, Malibu City Councilman Skylar Peak received a sentence of two years probation and 30 days of community service Wednesday, according to Peak's attorney, Michael Shultz.

In an email to Malibu Patch, Shultz outlined the details of a plea deal that was reached in a closed session with Judge Larry Mira at the Malibu Courthouse:

The DA alleged three misdemeanors: hit and run, reckless driving and vandalism. Negotiations resulted in a case settlement whereby Mr. Peak entered a no contest plea to reckless driving (the least serious charge) with the remaining charges being dismissed. Since this was a misdemeanor case, I was legally authorized to enter the plea on Mr. Peak's behalf in his absence--an everyday circumstance in misdemeanor cases.

Imposition of sentence was suspended and Mr. Peak was placed on 24 months summary probation (no probation officer) on condition that he pay a fine of approximately $1,200, perform 10 days of community labor--beach clean up in Malibu was authorized; perform 20 days of community service at the Malibu High School Boys and Girls Club and pay damages to Cal Trans property in due course. 

Mr. Peak is grateful to put this case behind him and move ahead with his various obligations and duties.

The charges stemmed from a Christmas Day crash after Peak was accused of driving erratically and plowing through 400 feet of delineators, which are three-foot-tall reflectors that separate eastbound from westbound traffic on PCH, damaging the front of the truck. Peak was accused of leaving the scene of the crash in the hit-and-run charge, which was dropped by the judge.

Last year, the D.A.'s Office opted to not file charges against Peak stemming from an investigation into his alleged behavior at a Malibu shopping center. The investigation began on July 11 following allegations that Peak, wearing a Speedo swimsuit, threatened security guards at the Point Dume Village with part of a pair of scissors.

Peak, who said afterwards he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, was checked into a county hospital and underwent a psychological evaluation. 

Due to the investigation, the Malibu City Council voted against appointing Peak as mayor pro tem even though he was the top vote getter in April's election. Instead, Joan House was appointed to the position.

-- Patch Editor Jessica Davis contributed to this report.