Jessica Simpson’s father Joe pleads not guilty to DUI

Joe Simpson claims he’s an innocent man.

The father of Jessica and Ashlee Simpson pleaded not guilty to two DUI charges on Thursday. On August 4, he was arrested in Sherman Oaks, California, after being pulled over by police, who soon suspected he had been drinking and brought him straight to jail. The minister-turned-talent manager was released the next morning after posting $5,000 bail.

Coincidentally, that same night Jessica tweeted that she had been substituting water for alcohol since becoming a mother to daughter Maxwell. “Joe's arrest shocked his family," a source told Us Weekly at the time. "Anytime he's in the news, it directly reflects upon Jessica and Ashlee."

Joe, 54, was not present in court on Thursday. A pre-trial hearing has been set for October 11. If convicted of the two counts, he could face a maximum of six months in jail, three years probation, and a $1,000 fine.

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