Whether it be good or bad publicity, it is still publicity–especially in the kaleidoscopic world of Hollywood. And what better way to fan the fire than a report of cocaine possession, and eventually, dismissal of charges.

Just The Way You Are hit singer Bruno Mars walks away with a clean criminal record after being charged and arrested for cocaine possession in September 2010 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Reports say a bathroom attendant at the said casino caught him with a bag of “white powder” which was later confirmed as cocaine by the police.

The court of Los Angeles gave Bruno Mars a probationary sentence of a $2,000 fine, 200 hours of community service at a non-profit organization, plus eight hours of drug counselling, which he met with the terms of the plea deal. Blair Berk, Bruno Mars’ lawyer, said that the pop star even exceeded the required 200 hours and did 230 hours of service instead for children’s charities and some health-related non-profit organisations.

In light of said event, Bruno Mars is expected to go back to his music career, leave the past behind him and start anew. Lucky, eh? We hope so, too.