Jessica Simpson's dad charged with two counts of DUI

The father of singer and fashion entrepreneur Jessica Simpson has been charged with two counts of drunk driving following an arrest earlier this month at a Sherman Oaks DUI checkpoint.

Joe Simpson, who lives in Encino, helped engineer the rise to fame and fortune for his daughters, Jessica and Ashley. He was arrested Aug. 4 after allegedly registering a 0.12 blood-alcohol level, well beyond the state's 0.08 limit, authorities said.

The Los Angeles city attorney on Tuesday filed two counts, which carry a maximum sentence of six months in jail, 36 months probation and a $1,000 fine, said Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for prosecutors.

Simpson, 54, who listed himself as a music manager in his booking information, is scheduled to be arraigned in a Van Nuys courtroom Aug. 30.

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-- Richard Winton

Photo: Joe and Jessica Simpson. Credit: KTLA-TV, Channel 5