Latzo Denies Drunken Driving Story, Could Face Criminal Charges

Possible criminal charges pending; state ethics commission launches investigation

CAROVA CITY, CAR--Carova's Lieutenant Governor, Carson Latzo (NAT), could face criminal charges for drunken driving, according to the Lichmond County District Attorney's Office. Latzo has denied for the last several weeks he drove while intoxicated. The alleged incident took place back on September 26th while Latzo was attending another party in Lorenzi.

According to the Lichmond County Sheriff's Department, a deputy pulled Latzo's vehicle over in Townsend, just east of Lorenzi, at approximately 1:00 AM. The deputy smelled the presence of alcohol, and proceeded to give Latzo a sobriety test, which he failed.

However, when the officer discovered Mr. Latzo was the lieutenant governor, he did not arrest Latzo but instead called a superior and was told to call a designated driver for Latzo and remain quiet about the incident.

The Lichmond County Sheriff's Department says it's investigating the case, and all officers involved have been supsended-with-pay until an internal investigation is complete. Department spokesman John Coriff told The Lorenzi Daily News that allowing state officials--even those in prominent positions--to avoid arrest or criminal charges is against department protocol as well as state law.

"If in fact, Mr. Latzo was intoxicated, he should have been arrested and booked, just like every other citizen of this state in the same situation," Coriff said. "Under no circumstances whatsoever, should Mr. Latzo, or anyone else, be allowed to get away with drunken driving. That is a very serious offense and we, as a department, take it very seriously."

Latzo's lawyers dispute the officers' claims of what happened on the morning of September 26th. However, his legal team would not officially comment on the specifics of the case.

"All we can say at this point is that Lieutenant Governor Latzo has a very different version of what happened that night, and we will be glad to share that story with investigators," Cambria said.

The Carova State Police have taken over the investigation, and has already interviewed Latzo several times, and plans to continue interviews in the coming days. The officers involved have also been interviewed by state police, investigators say.

The Lichmond County District Attorney has until Friday, November 22nd, to file charges. The penalty for drunken driving varies, but most likely, if charged, Latzo will only face misdemeanor charges. He may also face possible jail time, fines, and/or community service.

Governor Dan McCrae has not addressed the scandal, only saying that he hoped the allegations weren't true, and he hoped Latzo would be cleared of any wrongdoing.

"The administration will withold comment until Friday, when we know what the D.A. will do," McCrae's press secretary Alan Richardson told the media Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Latzo is facing an ethics investigation, after the state ethics commission voted 4-1 today to launch an investigation into his actions.

Evangelicals Rally For Diego

Pastor running for Lt. Governor receives strong support from evangelical Christian community

VICKSBURG, DMG--The popular pastor running for Lt. Governor is being strongly supported by fellow conservative Christians throughout the state.

Mercer Diego (CNS), senior pastor at Mattinow Family Church, a mega-church of 8,000, never planned to enter politics. But in 2006, the 41-year-old husband and father of five did just that when he decided to run for delegate as a Conservative. Though unsuccessful then, Diego decided, after much prayer, to run for office again this year--this time, for lieutenant governor.

"It wasn't an easy decision in any aspect. I had to consult my family, my friends, my church and co-workers, and above all, God," Diego told the Mattinow Star newspaper.

But the affable pastor, who is wildly popular among Christian conservatives throughout the state and nation, decided to run. And now that he's on the ballot, he is finding broad support among the state's evangelical Christian community.

A new poll conducted by the University of Vicksburg showed Diego earning an astonishing 85% of the evangelical vote when matched up with his NAT opponent, businesswoman Jenna Duvan.

"Mercer really attracts people to his campaign, particularly evangelicals, because he is one of them. He believes that God is sovereign and must have a place in our government," Dr. Jim Wesley, professor of religious studies at Wernerheim Presbyterian University, told GNN.

And Diego's supporters are enthusiastic in their support. Though he trails Duvan in money and name recognition, Diego often speaks to adoring crowds of thousands at campaign rallies and events. Duvan rarely attracts such attendance.

At a rally in Vicksburg Saturday, over 3,700 people packed into Whitby Stadium, on the city's west side to hear the religious leader speak. Amid the rain, supporters were also waving signs and handing out campaign literature to passersby.

Though initially trailing Duvan significantly in the polls, Diego now is virtually even with his NAT opponent. And Duvan still has more money, with $8.1 million compared to Diego's $7.4 million. However, with a little over a month left to go before the election, Mr. Diego's campaign is aiming to close the fundraising gap.

"We have got to get Mercer in there [office] and the only way we can do that is if we donate our money, time, and energy to his campaign," Becky Steuman, a minister from Vicksburg told the crowd at Whitby Stadium.

A subsequent speaker told the enchanted crowd Diego deserved their support because he "stood up for the right things."

"Let me tell you what Mercer believes," Brad Ellington, a pastor from South Grassadella City, told the crowd. "He believes life begins at conception. He believes marriage is between one man and one woman. He believes there is a creator, who formed the earth and heavens and everything that is in it. He believes that every person is important, and that life should be protected at all costs. And most of all, he believes that faith and freedom are not exclusive, but rather, complimentary."

The Diego campaign would not comment specifically on its outreach to evangelical voters.

"Mercer has supporters from all walks of life and religious and cultural backgrounds, and that's because his message of freedom and hope for our state is registering with people from all over the political spectrum who are hungry for change," spokeswoman Mary Cronn told GNN News.

According to the campaign's website, Mr. Diego will appear Monday in Grassadella City and then later on in the week in West Lake.