LOS ANGELES — Kanye West pleaded no contest Monday to misdemeanor battery against a photographer at Los Angeles International Airport in a special plea in which he maintains his innocence. West entered the plea through his attorney and did not attend the court hearing. He was sentenced to two years of probation, 24 anger management therapy sessions and 250 hours of community service. The rapper did not reach a civil settlement with the paparazzo, and his plea cannot be used against him in a civil lawsuit. West was charged with misdemeanor counts of battery and grand theft after an altercation at LAX with photographer Daniel Ramos in July. Ramos claimed West punched him in an unprovoked attack and wrestled his camera to the ground during the scuffle. Ramos is suing West and attended Monday's hearing accompanied by his lawyer, Gloria Allred. Prosecutors declined to file felony charges against West. — AP
