UPDATED: Watson ‘Vehemently’ Denies DUI

UPDATED: Watson ‘Vehemently’ Denies DUI

House Minority Leader Bob Watson is vehemently denying a DUI charge he is facing after being arrested last week at a sobriety checkpoint in Connecticut.

In a statement issued yesterday, Watson said he had been on his way home from helping a friend move and was confident he was “a safe and sober operator.” He said authorities had only found “trace evidence” of marijuana. And a subsequent breathalyzer test put him at a BAC of .05, under the legal limit, according to a copy of the police report. (Click here to read it.)

But the report says that Watson also failed three other field sobriety tests.

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Watson reportedly told the officer that he is an attorney and “that he does these tests with his friends while out at bars.”

“Watson stated the tests were difficult but he would do them,” the officer noted in his report.

The arresting officer said the East Greenwich Republican also had “extremely glassy and bloodshot” eyes when he pulled him over.

Fox voices support

House Speaker Gordon Fox issued a statement in support of Watson yesterday.

“I have served with Minority Leader Watson in the House for the past 19 years and I consider him a friend. I am unfamiliar with the details that transpired, but I spoke with Bob today and I offered him my support during this difficult time,” Fox said.

Watson is expected to discuss the issue at a caucus meeting of House GOP members Tuesday afternoon.

A senior member of that caucus, Laurence Ehrhardt, R-North Kingstown, told GoLocalProv last night that he does not believe the arrest and pending charges will affect Watson’s status as the House Minority Leader. He said the caucus right now is focused on how best to get through the budget process.

Ehrhardt said he felt that Watson had satisfactorily addressed the issue in a public statement issued Monday.

WATSON'S FULL STATEMENT

I traveled to New Haven, Connecticut on Friday afternoon to help a friend move. Following dinner, I was traveling alone back home to Rhode Island in my pickup truck at approximately 9:30 p.m.

While traveling home, I entered a Sobriety Checkpoint conducted by local police. It appeared that all vehicles were being stopped and I was detained as well.

While confident I was a safe and sober operator, trace evidence of marijuana was discovered and I was charged with operating under the influence, a charge I vehemently deny.

A subsequent breathalyzer test at the station showed that I was well below the legal limit of .08. I was processed and released within an hour.

These events will be addressed fully in the proper legal forum.

Because of the position I hold within the community as an elected official and as an attorney, I recognize that my personal issue will have to be dealt with publicly and in the court of public opinion.

At the proper time I look forward to the opportunity to explain and comment further.

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