Falcons linebacker Joplo Bartu was fined $50,000 for an alcohol-related offense, but only after his two-game suspension was rescinded, according to documents viewed by NFL Media.
Last season, Bartu pleaded no contest to driving under the influence and received a two-day suspended sentence and 12 months of probation, along with enrollment in a risk reduction class. According to an NFL and NFLPA agreement, players had until Nov. 1, 2014 to resolve DUIs for them to be accepted under the old policy that did not require a suspension.
Bartu, who had 83 tackles in 2014, was handed in March a two-game suspension for his actions, pursuant to the NFL's new DUI policy. Bartu needed to submit his plea agreement before November. While he reached the agreement late in October, he didn't go before the judge until early November. Thus, the suspension.
However, Bartu provided the NFL with additional info, showing that the agreement was actually reached on Oct. 30.
Thanks to new information, he was informed in May that he was fined $50,000 and his suspension was rescinded.
He was informed that any future violations of the law would result in more significant discipline.
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