Man Gets Probation in Alcohol Clinic Death

One of four men accused of running an unlicensed North Hollywood detoxification clinic where recovering alcoholics were allegedly tied and force-fed alcohol has been sentenced to probation in connection with a death there.

Authorities initially said Jose Rodriguez was in charge of the “mattress room,” where patients were kept for days, in some cases against their will. But on the eve of trial, Deputy Dist. Atty. Craig Renetzky said there was no proof that Rodriguez ran the clinic and that his involvement with the death of Enrique Bravo, who was forced to drink alcohol and died as he lay hogtied, appeared to be minimal.

Rodriguez pleaded no contest to manslaughter charges in exchange for a sentence of three years’ probation.

Two other men have already served jail terms for the crime, and the last defendant is due to be sentenced in the next few days.