Gary Coleman, 40, former child star of ‘Different Strokes’ pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge for a September incident at a bowling alley.  Ordered to pay a $100 fine in a Payson court Tuesday, he also pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge, which will be waived if there are no further violations within a year.
 
Court documents say, Coleman, who was going with his wife and bodyguard for bowling in Payson, 60-miles south of Salt Lake City, when Colt Rushton snapped Coleman with his cell phone camera, including taking a few photos or Coleman’s truck in the parking lot.  When, according to Rushton’s lawyer, Coleman’s wife snatched Rushton’s cell phone, which led to a scuffle after which Coleman rammed Rushton with his truck, while backing out of the parking lot.
 
According to Rushton’s lawyers, Coleman’s no contest plea will help move the civil lawsuit filed against the actor forward, since his lawyer can now force Coleman to give a deposition.  Rushton, in his civil suit is claims he has accumulated more than $10,000 in medical expenses, including a scheduled knee surgery due to injuries caused by Coleman’s truck driving into him.
 
Wishing to put the incident behind him, Coleman has agreed to the no contest plea, since it is not an admission of guilt.