Posted on 06/13/2006 6:33:41 PM PDT by Jean S
Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs as a part of an extensive agreement the lawmaker reached with the District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General.
“I’ve always said that I wanted to take full responsibility for my actions. Today in court I did just that,” Kennedy said in a brief meeting with reporters after appearing before D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Aida Melendez. “I accepted the consequences of my actions. I’ve cooperated fully with the Capitol Police and with the attorney general’s office.
“I think they’ve done a fantastic job. … I look forward today to moving on to the next chapter of my life.”
Kennedy entered the guilty plea on the condition that the two other charges, reckless driving and failure to exhibit a permit, would be dropped.
“I am pleading guilty to driving under the influence,” Kennedy told Melendez.
The lengthy plea agreement stipulates a 12-month probationary period, monthly meetings with Dr. Ronald Smith at Bethesda Naval Hospital, attendance at weekly recovery-group meetings and weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. In addition, Kennedy must submit to random urine and drug-abuse screenings and maintain regular contact with a “qualified psychiatrist.”
Kennedy must also maintain weekly contact with an AA sponsor.
Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.) is Kennedy’s sponsor. “Jim has been a true friend of mine,” Kennedy said. “He has been so important to me in this very difficult time.”
Ramstad, who is a recovering alcoholic, attended the court proceedings, sitting in the front row of the courtroom.
“He’s accepted his addiction, and he is going to be just fine one day at a time,” Ramstad told reporters.
“I am absolutely convinced that Mr. Kennedy will continue to work his program one day at a time because I’m his sponsor,” Ramstad said. “This is the first time in his life that as a Democrat he’s answering to a Republican — he’s going to do what I tell him.”
Ramstad said that AA is not just for alcoholics but also for people addicted to other substances.
Upon accepting Kennedy’s plea, Melendez added a 10-day jail sentence and a $300 fine — both of which will be suspended as long as Kennedy abides by the terms of the plea agreement. He will also have to pay $100 to the Victims of Crime Fund, as stipulated by D.C. code, and will make a $250 donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington, in addition to completing 50 hours of community service there.
Traci Hughes, director of communications for the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, expressed satisfaction that the matter had been brought to a close.
“The attorney general would like me to convey that he has treated Mr. Kennedy just as any other defendant in this type of situation — [he] was not given any special treatment,” she said.
She said the sentence is typical for a first-time offender.
The Capitol Police referred to the Office of the Attorney General’s remarks and offered no further statement.
Andy Maybo, chairman of the U.S. Capitol Police Fraternal Order of Police, expressed support for Kennedy.
“I commend Congressman Kennedy for stepping up and taking responsibility for his actions,” Maybo said in an e-mail. “Kennedy has set an example to all Americans that regardless of who you are, it is not OK to commit a crime.
“We all wish him well on his road to recovery.”
Kennedy turned himself in to Capitol Police headquarters around noon yesterday before traveling to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for arraignment and sentencing.
The initial Capitol Police arrest report cited three traffic violations: failure to keep in the proper lane, unreasonable speed and failure to give full time and attention to the operation of a vehicle. Those violations carry a total of $80 in fines, according to Robin Costello, Kennedy’s press secretary.
It is unclear whether Kennedy will also have to pay the fine for the traffic tickets or whether his DUI guilty plea nullifies them.
Kennedy’s admission comes more than a month after he crashed his green Ford Mustang into security barriers at C and 1st streets at 2:45 a.m. May 4.
The lawmaker’s “eyes were red and watery, [his] speech was slightly slurred and upon exiting the vehicle, his balance was unsure,” according to the incident report.
Kennedy reportedly told police that evening after identifying himself that he was “late for a vote.” Votes had concluded several hours earlier.
During the court proceedings, Deputy Attorney General for Public Safety David Rubenstein added details provided to the office by the Capitol Police, including that when two sergeants drove the lawmaker home he pointed out the wrong house and spent several minutes trying to unlock the gate until he realized his residence was the house next door.
Kennedy said he had been disoriented because he was taking two prescription medications at the time.
On May 5, Kennedy convened a press conference and told reporters that he was checking himself into the Mayo Clinic for treatment for an addiction to prescription painkillers. Kennedy returned to the House last week after spending several weeks in rehabilitation.
Leaders of the Capitol Police were roundly criticized after the incident for failing to administer a field sobriety test, and the two sergeants who drove the lawmaker home dismissed the officer who initially attempted to pull Kennedy over.
As a part of the police investigation, the Capitol Police reassigned the watch commander who instructed officers not to follow regular procedures.
Erica Flint contributed to this report.
Go Pat Go!
DWK - driving while Kennedy.
More hypocrisy and double-standards from the party of the ass.
Why that reads like somebody's doing a lot of hiney smootching!
Lest we not forget Cynthia Mckinney assaulting a cop, William Jefferson, etc. None will resign.
This sets precedent.
Now Cynthia McKinney will try to plea bargain. She will want to take Anger Management classes in lieu of a stint in a jail cell.
There are all sorts of reasons for accepting plea bargains (which are expedient measures for avoiding full & proper prosecution)... but "full responsibility" is never an element of a plea bargain.
Another Kennedy breaks the law and skates... big surprise...
Moving into responsible adulthood would be a new chapter for many of his clan.
What an ass. So either Kennedy is setting himself up to continue drinking by downplaying alcohol's part in his drunken foray near the capitol, or he's trying to hide it so he won't be compared to dear old Dad.
The whole family is a joke.
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In other news, his father has promised to take underwater driving lessons....
Ramstad said that AA is not just for alcoholics but also for people addicted to other substances...
REALLY Now that news to this Member (AA). So its now ANYTHING Anonymous? it doesn't work that way Ramstad!
Were the prescriptions from two different doctors? Could it be the same crime as Rush? Can we get some records examined?
Lawbreaker Patrick Kennedy (DUI- R.I.)
I wonder if he will have to do some mandatory jail time?
If so, I wonder if he will be treated like a black woman?
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