Ex-Rep. John Sweeney Arrested for DWI

This is big news up in my hometown of Clifton Park, NY (which lies just between Albany and Saratoga, a straight shot up Rt. 87).

Former U.S. House Rep. John Sweeney was arrested around 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning when he refused to get out of his car for roadside sobriety tests; he was driving 59 mph in a 40 mph area. It's his second arrest for driving while intoxicated in less than 17 months, but this time, it's a felony because of his last conviction.

''I would not pass them,'' Sweeney - who used to be a local STOP-DWI coordinator - told police officers, according to The Times Union. ''I'm in big trouble.''

The Times Union says court records show that cops could smell alcohol coming from Sweeney, and the former congressman's speech was slurred as he tried to tell police he just had three glasses of wine at his sister's nearby. Sweeney apparently refused to take a chemical DWI test back at the State Police barracks. That means no license for him for a year. He posted bail and was released; he's due in Clifton Park court Thursday.

Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy, III, said Sweeney's case will be treated "like any other felony DWI case."

"We are fortunate that his alleged conduct did not result in death or serious physical injury to himself or anyone else," Murphy said, according to The Schenectady Gazette. "This case will proceed through the criminal justice system like any other."

At least Sweeney didn't have a woman on his lap this time when he was pulled over. Yes, that was one of the circumstances surrounding his November 2007 arrest when he blew a .18 blood alcohol content level; the legal limit was .08. This is just the latest bad news for the Republican, who lost his bid for re-election in the 20th Congressional District to Kirsten Gillibrand in 2006 amid allegations of spousal abuse. During that campaign, Sweeney was criticized after photographs were published of him attending a late-night fraternity party outside his Congressional district. He's also been ensnared in the federal investigation for his dealings with the lobbying firm Powers & Company and its possible ties to Jack Abramoff.

Maybe we should take his name off of one of the many office parks we have littering Route 146 in Clifton Park...

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