R&B Producer Dallas Austin Pardoned

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (July 4) - Dubai 's ruler pardoned American R&B producer Dallas Austin on Tuesday, hours after he was sentenced to four years in prison for possession of cocaine, two of the producer's lawyers said.

Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum issued the pardon, said the lawyers. One, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Austin's release was "a matter of paperwork."

A second member of Austin's five-attorney legal team confirmed the pardon, but said he had not yet received details. Austin's release could take a few days, the attorney said.

The songwriter, whose life story was loosely depicted in the 2002 movie 'Drumline,' was arrested May 19 at Dubai 's airport.

He was on his way to a three-day birthday party for supermodel Naomi Campbell at a Dubai hotel, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported. Austin's lawyer disputed the reported nature of his visit, saying the producer was in Dubai to attend concerts.

Austin, who is based in Atlanta, has several hits to his credit, including Pink's "Just Like a Pill" and TLC's "Unpretty." He won a Grammy Award for best RB album in 1999 for producing TLC's multiplatinum "Fanmail." He also produced 'Drumline' and 'ATL.'

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