The Suite Life of Zack and Cody

Child star manager, Josh Werkman, whose charges include Cole and Dylan Sprouse of the Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, has been convicted of child molestation.  Werkman pleaded no contest to the charges of misdemeanor child molestation and misdemeanor sale of alcoholic beverage to a minor.

Aside from representing child stars and protégés, Josh Werkman is also the CEO of Merimark Entertainment.  The 33-year old child star representative and Merimark executive entered his plea of no contest on Friday in Ventura County Superior Court.  He is scheduled to receive his sentence on April 2.

According to TMZ, law enforcement officers said Werkman was first taken into custody for felony sexual battery by restraint, where the alleged victim is reportedly a 16-year old male.

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

TMZ claims that calls to Merimark weren't returned immediately and that representatives for the Disney Channel, which airs The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, had no comment.  TMZ did clarify however, that the Sprouse twins, stars of the said Disney series, are not involved in the case.  Meanwhile, Rameen Minoui, the prosecutor in the case against Werkman, told TMZ that the child manager will be required to register as a sex offender and stands to face up to a year in jail.

In other news, the first season of both The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, starring twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse, and Hannah Montana will soon be available on Xbox Live Video Marketplace or XBLVM.  The maiden offerings of both Disney Channel favorites will be on the SBLVM menu beginning March 24.


-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: TMZ, XBOXIC
(Image Courtesy of TMZ)