Veroche MP must pay restitution, attend alcohol classes
MAVOCKE--A Mavocke municipal judge did not let Assemblyman Nick Garson (N-Veroche) off the hook Thursday.
Garson, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of drunk-driving, and must pay almost $14,000 in restitution to the owner of a building he crashed his car into. The Veroche assemblyman will also pay a $1,000 fine as part of his probation.
Mavocke Municipal Judge Aleda Thornton also ordered Garson to attend alcohol safety courses twice a month for the next six months, at his own expense. She also suspended his driver's license for 30 days.
"As a public servant, you have the responsibility, both legally and morally, to set a high standard for citizen behavior and conduct," Thornton told Garson, who nodded in agreement at the judge's comments.
The incident occurred more than two months ago, in the early morning hours of June 9. Mavocke Metropolitan Police responded to the scene of a car-versus-building accident in the midtown Lembarton district, just a few miles east of the capitol area.
When police arrived, Garson appeared to be intoxicated. Subsequent blood tests later revealed his blood alcohol level to be 0.10, two-tenths above the legal limit.
Before crashing his vehicle into the building, Garson swiped an oncoming vehicle, causing substantial damage to that car. The driver of the car was not injured, however, and Garson's auto insurance will cover the damage to the other vehicle.
Outside the courthouse in downtown Mavocke, Garson, accompanied by his lawyers and girlfriend Kate Billing, told reporters he accepted "full responsibility."
"I take full responsibility for my actions, and I've tried to state from the beginning of this ordeal just how sorry I am for my actions, and how embarrassed and humbled I am by what I've done," he said. "This type of behavior was out of character for me, and it was a mistake.
"The people of Lanakis-Southwick expect more of their representative, and I'm truly sorry for my failure to live up to that expectation," Garson said, referring to the constituents of his electorate.
So far, Mr. Garson has resisted calls for his resignation, and has indicated he plans to seek re-election in 2012, though he has not publicly committed to running again.
MAVOCKE--A Mavocke municipal judge did not let Assemblyman Nick Garson (N-Veroche) off the hook Thursday.
Garson, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of drunk-driving, and must pay almost $14,000 in restitution to the owner of a building he crashed his car into. The Veroche assemblyman will also pay a $1,000 fine as part of his probation.
Mavocke Municipal Judge Aleda Thornton also ordered Garson to attend alcohol safety courses twice a month for the next six months, at his own expense. She also suspended his driver's license for 30 days.
"As a public servant, you have the responsibility, both legally and morally, to set a high standard for citizen behavior and conduct," Thornton told Garson, who nodded in agreement at the judge's comments.
The incident occurred more than two months ago, in the early morning hours of June 9. Mavocke Metropolitan Police responded to the scene of a car-versus-building accident in the midtown Lembarton district, just a few miles east of the capitol area.
When police arrived, Garson appeared to be intoxicated. Subsequent blood tests later revealed his blood alcohol level to be 0.10, two-tenths above the legal limit.
Before crashing his vehicle into the building, Garson swiped an oncoming vehicle, causing substantial damage to that car. The driver of the car was not injured, however, and Garson's auto insurance will cover the damage to the other vehicle.
Outside the courthouse in downtown Mavocke, Garson, accompanied by his lawyers and girlfriend Kate Billing, told reporters he accepted "full responsibility."
"I take full responsibility for my actions, and I've tried to state from the beginning of this ordeal just how sorry I am for my actions, and how embarrassed and humbled I am by what I've done," he said. "This type of behavior was out of character for me, and it was a mistake.
"The people of Lanakis-Southwick expect more of their representative, and I'm truly sorry for my failure to live up to that expectation," Garson said, referring to the constituents of his electorate.
So far, Mr. Garson has resisted calls for his resignation, and has indicated he plans to seek re-election in 2012, though he has not publicly committed to running again.
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