Idaho senator pleads guilty to DWI charge
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Michael Crapo pleaded guilty Friday to a charge of driving while intoxicated and then apologized for his actions and asked forgiveness from his constituents.
The Idaho Republican said nothing during a brief appearance in Alexandria General District Court, where he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor and was ordered to pay a $250 fine and complete an alcohol safety program. He also agreed to a 12-month suspension of his driver's license. The sentence is typical for first-time drunken-driving offenders in Virginia.
But outside of court and in a subsequent conference call with reporters in his home state, Crapo apologized and said he'd been drinking alcohol a few nights a week, in violation of the tenets of his Mormon faith.
Crapo said he tried alcohol for the first time about a year ago, though he couldn't remember the details. It was a misguided attempt to relieve stress, he said, and he always kept his use of alcohol hidden, drinking alone in his Washington, D.C., apartment. The night of his arrest was the first time he had driven drunk, Crapo said.
"I was already thinking in my own mind that this had to end," Crapo said. "I believe in my heart that I had already recognized that I was on a bad path and I needed to find a different path to follow."
Crapo said he consumed "several, probably two to three" vodka tonics at his Washington home on the night of Dec. 22 when he became restless, couldn't sleep and went out for a drive. It wasn't until he'd already been driving for about 30 minutes when he realized he was in no condition to drive and started to return home, he said. He ran a red light and was pulled over in the Washington suburb of Alexandria, in the early morning hours of Dec. 23.
Crapo failed a field sobriety test and registered a blood-alcohol level of 0.11 percent after his arrest, police said, above the legal limit of 0.08. No mention of his blood-alcohol level was made in court Friday, but a second test performed after Crapo was brought to the jailhouse registered at 0.14 percent, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the arrest. The official wasn't authorized to release information publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
"I am grateful, truly grateful, that no one was injured," Crapo said.
Crapo said he was not with anyone at the time, and was not coming or going from seeing anybody. He was discouraged because a late night of Senate work on a Friday caused him to miss a flight home, forcing him to spend an extra day away from family. His next flight was scheduled for Sunday, the day of his arrest.
His arrest stunned colleagues and constituents alike, not only because of his squeaky-clean image but also because he had said he doesn't drink, in accordance with his church's practices.
Crapo said he regretted bringing shame to himself and his faith because of the arrest and he would take the appropriate measures for forgiveness and repentance in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"I'm swearing off alcohol and I am not going to continue to drink," Crapo said.
Public officials should be held to higher standards, Crapo said, and he believes his constituents are disappointed by his conduct. But he said he doesn't think the arrest will derail his political career, and he hopes that by giving a full explanation of the circumstances, he can regain the public trust.
"I fully intend to continue to try to make a contribution in the United States Senate," Crapo said, adding that he expects to run for the office again in 2016.
He said he'll walk to work, take a taxi or make other transportation arrangements while his license is suspended over the next year.
As long as he remains on good behavior, Crapo won't have to serve a 180-day suspended jail sentence. In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dropped a charge of failing to obey a traffic signal.
Crapo said he privately explained and apologized to his family for the embarrassment that he caused, and he was grateful for their support and encouragement.
"I have a strong marriage and my wife and I love each other," he said.
The Idaho Republican said nothing during a brief appearance in Alexandria General District Court, where he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor and was ordered to pay a $250 fine and complete an alcohol safety program. He also agreed to a 12-month suspension of his driver's license. The sentence is typical for first-time drunken-driving offenders in Virginia.
But outside of court and in a subsequent conference call with reporters in his home state, Crapo apologized and said he'd been drinking alcohol a few nights a week, in violation of the tenets of his Mormon faith.
Crapo said he tried alcohol for the first time about a year ago, though he couldn't remember the details. It was a misguided attempt to relieve stress, he said, and he always kept his use of alcohol hidden, drinking alone in his Washington, D.C., apartment. The night of his arrest was the first time he had driven drunk, Crapo said.
"I was already thinking in my own mind that this had to end," Crapo said. "I believe in my heart that I had already recognized that I was on a bad path and I needed to find a different path to follow."
Crapo said he consumed "several, probably two to three" vodka tonics at his Washington home on the night of Dec. 22 when he became restless, couldn't sleep and went out for a drive. It wasn't until he'd already been driving for about 30 minutes when he realized he was in no condition to drive and started to return home, he said. He ran a red light and was pulled over in the Washington suburb of Alexandria, in the early morning hours of Dec. 23.
Crapo failed a field sobriety test and registered a blood-alcohol level of 0.11 percent after his arrest, police said, above the legal limit of 0.08. No mention of his blood-alcohol level was made in court Friday, but a second test performed after Crapo was brought to the jailhouse registered at 0.14 percent, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the arrest. The official wasn't authorized to release information publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
"I am grateful, truly grateful, that no one was injured," Crapo said.
Crapo said he was not with anyone at the time, and was not coming or going from seeing anybody. He was discouraged because a late night of Senate work on a Friday caused him to miss a flight home, forcing him to spend an extra day away from family. His next flight was scheduled for Sunday, the day of his arrest.
His arrest stunned colleagues and constituents alike, not only because of his squeaky-clean image but also because he had said he doesn't drink, in accordance with his church's practices.
Crapo said he regretted bringing shame to himself and his faith because of the arrest and he would take the appropriate measures for forgiveness and repentance in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"I'm swearing off alcohol and I am not going to continue to drink," Crapo said.
Public officials should be held to higher standards, Crapo said, and he believes his constituents are disappointed by his conduct. But he said he doesn't think the arrest will derail his political career, and he hopes that by giving a full explanation of the circumstances, he can regain the public trust.
"I fully intend to continue to try to make a contribution in the United States Senate," Crapo said, adding that he expects to run for the office again in 2016.
He said he'll walk to work, take a taxi or make other transportation arrangements while his license is suspended over the next year.
As long as he remains on good behavior, Crapo won't have to serve a 180-day suspended jail sentence. In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dropped a charge of failing to obey a traffic signal.
Crapo said he privately explained and apologized to his family for the embarrassment that he caused, and he was grateful for their support and encouragement.
"I have a strong marriage and my wife and I love each other," he said.
Dick Cheney had DUIs, GWB had at least one...this is hardly new for politicians. I think the bigger news is that he's a Mormon who has publicly said that he doesn't drink alcohol. Idaho has a large Mormon populations, so I wonder how his constituents feel about this.Â
A misdemeanor and a $250 fine. A penalty obviously designed for politicians. No wonder nothing gets accomplished. Too busy drinking with no fear of repercussions.
 @Klondiko The article states "The sentence is typical for first-time drunken-
driving offenders in Virginia"
It sounds as if he was given the normal sentence that Joe or Jane Citizen would have
received in Virginia and there was no preferential treatment in this case.
Â
Why does the story make me want to chuckle, can I get a amen....
I still forgive you.
Â
I have a question; will he be able to get into Canada now that he is a convicted criminal?
People make mistakes. Even me.. more than the average idiot. This guy... I venture to say, that he has probably consumed and driven before. Just got caught this time. If that's the case then both a liar and hypocrite applies. I only ask that the law be applied to him as it would be for the average citizen. 180 days suspended? I don't know if that's common. On the flip-side I do appreciate how transparent he is. It's not like his name is Weiner and took a pic of his weiner and denied it. That being said... he deserves some props.
Im nowhere near Republican in my political beliefs but you know I got more respect for this politician  than most. He's human, he f'd up and instead of the Norm for someone in his position  he owned up, offered no excuses and promised to do better from the get go. I am almost floored.Â
 @SODOSonicsNow My point exactly.
In my opinion, when someone CHOOSES to drink and drive they should be charged with the equivalent of attempted murder -- The vehicle can be considered a deadly weapon and they are knowingly going out there risking the lives of you, me, our families and friends as well as every single person in their proximity.
 @The WA Mama Might as well make it attempted murder every time someone "chooses" to drive their vehicle and kills someone. Those "chose" to drive a killing machine around at speeds that would easily kill a human.Â
Â
Dumb.
@Stock Woodie Actually, your comment is dumb. There is a difference between drinking and driving and normal driving. Get a clue.
 @The WA Mama  @Stock You said it yourself... I quote, "The vehicle can be considered a deadly weapon and they are knowingly going out there risking the lives of you, me, our families and friends as well as every single person in their proximity."
 @The WA Mama I do agree. I've always been an advocate of much less leniency for anybody who drives while intoxicated. However, I'm confused when you say "when someone CHOOSES to drink and drive." To me it's always a "choice." Nobody forces nor requires somebody to drink and drive. First, drinking is a choice one makes. Then, driving after drinking is also a choice they make whether it is made consciously or unconsciously. Both decisions rest ultimately on a choice or choices one makes.Â
Â
When I first read what you wrote, I thought you were implying that drinking and driving is acceptable as long as it isn't an activity that is chosen but is somehow forced or required. *heh*
@mandy h I capitalized CHOOSES because I am so sick and tired of people saying that that had no choice but to drive.
@The WA Mama Amen!
He just changed his Facebook status to "jack Mormon"
 @PilonidalCyst LOL, I'm from Idaho and it is so well known there that if your not Mormon, you have no power. That is the only state I know where Mormons will have people celebrate the 4th of July, Halloween, etc on a different day if it falls on Sunday.Â
Congratulations on admitting your guilt and accepting responsibility for actions. That alone is worth my vote.
 @Stock Woodie If it was a dem you would not be so forgiving.  By your comment I read stock woodie is an "independent" aka tea bagging republican or just a plain old republican.
Â
Admitting you are sorry you got caught don't cut mustard sir.
Â
It's like having an affair make that worse because rarely does an affair cause someone to die but drunk driving does every day.
Â
Oh I am sorry I just killed that person. Â I won't do it again. Â Forgiven?
Â
Here's your own comment which proves my point obviously knee deep in the crapo I mean bias.
Â
Cliff avoided: Congress staves off tax hikes
@FormerMarineSgt "I wish Obama would actually negotiate instead of saying "my way or the highway". We don't need more spending."
Â
 @sunnysandiego  If the "person" involved happened to be a member of the Democratic party, I would have commending him just as quickly. It rare, especially for someone in "government", to actually admit guilt and deal with the consequences. How ofter do you see guilt pleas?
Â
He admitted guilt and it does cut the mustard with todays "current" DUI laws. I'm not saying its "right", but it's perfectly within the current law. Maybe I missed something, but did he kill someone?
Â
I'm neither D or R, but that's how I feel about Obamas "fiscal cliff" fiasco. He's the President and he needs to negotiate with both parties. Obama is all "about" being bipartisan, but he's being a bully in some respects.  The last thing this country needs is more spending. Period. Obama is attempting to lead this country into Socialism by giving handouts to more than 50% of the population... Easy votes after that.
Â
Â
I don't.
Â
To get busted at his age is atrocious. Â I don't even want to guess how many times he has done it previously but looking at his nose/face I would say he has been hitting the bottle for a long time. Â Has the tell tale signs and looks of a long time alcoholic.
Â
I always wonder how good is a person who spends much of their time drunk even if they are not on the job drunk hung over also takes away from one's ability to be productive.
Â
Vote him out of office he is not deserving and probably could not give a crap about his constituents anyways.
 @sunnysandiego Exactly. He doesn't drink just like Senator Craig doesn't have sex with men in airport bathrooms.Â
@sunnysandiego I agree with you 100%. There is no excuse for what he did.
I forgive you.