CeeLo Green pleads no contest in Ecstasy case, gets 3 years' probation

LOS ANGELES -- Still maintaining his innocence, singer CeeLo Green on Friday pleaded no contest to slipping drugs to a woman at a Los Angeles restaurant and was sentenced to three years of formal probation.

Green, whose real name is Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, was charged with one felony count of furnishing a controlled substance. He entered the plea just before a preliminary hearing was scheduled to begin.

"I'm very pleased to have finally resolved this matter with an amicable understanding. We're satisfied," Green said outside the courthouse.

The 39-year-old singer is accused of slipping Ecstasy to the woman as they dined in July 2012. The two later went back to the 33-year-old woman's hotel room. Prosecutors declined to file a charge of rape of an intoxicated person, citing insufficient evidence. Green's attorney said any sexual contact between the singer and the woman was consensual.

Green has to serve 360 days of community service with the MusiCares Foundation. He also must participate in 52 classes with Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. The judge said Green will be allowed to travel for work during his probation. Green will have to check in with his probation officer and the court on a regular basis. His first progress report is set for March 2.

Green is known for hits like "Forget You" and for his appearances as a judge on the TV talent show, "The Voice."