Former Congressman Scumbag Sweeney Arrested for DUI Again

[Danascot]

Former U.S. Rep. John Sweeney was arrested early Sunday and charged with driving while intoxicated for the second time in 17 months.

At 3:30 a.m., Sweeney, 53, was stopped for speeding on Route 9 in Clifton Park, State Police said. He refused sobriety tests and was charged with felony DWI, police said.

Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy said Sweeney will automatically lose his license for a year because he refused the breath and blood alcohol tests.

"We are fortunate that his alleged conduct did not result in death or serious physical injury to himself or any one else," Murphy said in a prepared statement. "The case will proceed through the criminal justice system like any other." He said the charge is a felony because of Sweeney's prior DWI misdemeanor conviction.

Sweeney, who lost his bid for re-election in the 20th Congressional District to Kirsten Gillibrand in 2006, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drunken-driving offense in November 2007. He lost his license for about three months in that incident and paid a $1,000 fine. The Clifton Park Republican also was required to take classes and attend a victim impact session.

In that case, according to court papers, Sweeney told troopers he had consumed four glasses of wine at the Envy Lounge on Pearl Street and asked them if they knew who he was. He was pulled over after he almost sideswiped a trooper's vehicle on the Northway. Law enforcement officials said he had a woman on his lap when he was pulled over.

Sweeney, a former STOP-DWI coordinator in Rensselaer County, has made headlines a number of times in recent years after brushes with the law. In addition to his DWI arrests, in September it was revealed that federal investigators are exploring Sweeney's dealings with an Albany lobbying firm after the four-term congressman was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee in 2001.

Early Sunday, Sweeney was taken to Saratoga County jail and released on bail a short time later. He is to appear 5 p.m. Thursday in Clifton Park Town Court.

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=787330

[redwitch]

1. Rumor has it he is involved in the 20th CD recount.

Series. Along with Roger Stone. I wish more people were paying attention to this recount.

Oh, and :hi: from your neighbor to the east.