Posted on 12/25/2009 5:07:18 AM PST by raccoonradio
Take a deep breath. The Herald has put state Sen. Anthony D. Galluccio’s oral argument to the test.
The embattled Cambridge Democrat, on home confinement after pleading guilty to a hit-and-run crash, flunked a series of blood-alcohol checks this week - and he blamed it on his toothpaste.
Galluccio claimed Sensodyne and Colgate Total Whitening toothpaste caused low readings on a Sobrietor, the device Galluccio uses.
Galluccio said he brushed with both brands Monday before blowing into the device showing “several low level positive reads over the course of an hour.”
A Herald test using an Alcohawk Slim Ultra digital Breathalyzer - the Sobrietor is not sold in stores - also showed positive readings for both toothpastes, but any trace of alcohol evaporated within two minutes.
Sensodyne has the higher content of the sugar alcohol sorbitol. But the readings - .03 blood-alcohol estimate seconds after brushing - quickly disappeared. The same for Colgate.
Even a sip of Coors Light registered .25 on the Alcohawk but fizzled to .00 a minute later, according a Herald test.
A shot of 80-proof Bushmills single-malt whiskey scored a .28 on the Alcohawk and took nine minutes to mellow down to .00. But even that spirit ebbed.
Clearly, once toothpaste or a small taste of booze clear the mouth, they no longer register. Not good news for the 42-year-old senator.
Galluccio has been ordered to remain on 24-hour home confinement until a Jan. 4 probation revocation hearing where a judge could toss him back in jail for violating the terms of his sentence.
Last week Galluccio was ordered to remain at home for six months and not touch a drop of alcohol, submit to random alcohol testing, surrender his license for five years and pay a $1,000 fine.
Cambridge District Court Judge Matthew Nestor was willing to allow him to attend church and formal Senate sessions. That has all been pulled off the table pending the outcome of his hearing.
Galluccio, it appears, should get his toothbrushes ready for jail. When it comes to Breathalyzer tests, one expert said, they carry a lot of clout in court - the only chance is to challenge the calibration of a device.
“Breathalyzers definitely pass the gatekeeper standard, and they have for many, many years,” said noted defense attorney Jeffrey Denner.
Harvey's Bristol GLEEM
Colgate Crown Royale
Arm and HAMMERED (and several others; from a Herald comment)
Sweetheart deal; avoids jail, for now. After these tests the "you can go to church and to Senate sessions" exclusion of his home confinement were taken away. He is stuck there till Jan 4 at least, I believe. I'll...be home...for Christmas...
Howie list ping
A year in jail will cure his addiction...BEFORE THIS A$$HOLE KILLS SOMEBODY.
In the grand tradition of MA politicians. And Sen Kerry has been given the green light to travel to Iran and hobnob with Islamofascist fiends. The lunatics are running the asylum.
Considering he is a Public Servant sworn to Uphold, Defend the Constitution, he deserves a minimum of 5 years. All persons required to take an OATH of OFFICE should receive a minimum of 5 times the maximum allowable sentence for any and all VIOLATIONS OF LAW.
Wikipedia entry on him:
>>Galluccio has been convicted three times of driving-related offenses. In 1984 he was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, for which he was pardoned by governor William Weld in 1993. He was convicted of the same offense in 1997. In October, 2009, he was accused of having fled the scene of a car crash. He pleaded guilty to the charge on December 18, 2009, and was sentenced to six months home confinement, with the qualification that he may attend church and cast votes in the State Senate. Within 72 hours of beginning his house arrest the breathalyzer he was ordered by the court to use as a condition of his sentence detected alcohol on his breath four different times. Galluccio blamed his toothpaste
—
He resigned his committee chairmanships:
>>He was also a member of the Education, Housing, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Municipalities and Regional Government and State Administration and Regulatory Oversight committee
I repeat:
>>Substance Abuse
13 yr old boy was injured in accident; as Howie Carr points out where is Mothers Against Drunk Driving on this?
No wonder these aholes running this country have us in so much trouble. They live in their own world and think the rest of us have no clue. What kind of idiot would make an excuse like this clown did?
If it isn’t to late already, we better get a grip on things and get back on the right course.
Sounds like Coakley’s the wrong candidate to replace the Swimmer.
Five years at a minimum!
“The toofpaste set me up !”
“Live Shot” is running for Secretary of State.
Probably threatened by the MOB to remain silent. Mob? No, not La Cosa Nostra, but rather the Democrat Party Machine.
Haven't heard anything of them in years. Are they still around? The schools here don't even do the day of car accidents (can't think of the name) presentation anymore.
I agree 100%.
So what are the odds on him doing any time?
Where they gonna send him? To the same place they sent that Muslim who killed the guy back in 2002?
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/11/18/saudi_royal_gets_year_in_vineyard_jail/
It just occurred to me - two toothpastes! - he was trying to erase the alcohol by brushing. I guess I wasn’t paying attention when the story broke.
It just occurred to me - two toothpastes! - he was trying to erase the alcohol by brushing. I guess I wasn’t paying attention when the story broke.
Does it depend on his party affiliation?
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