Sen. Mike Crapo pleaded guilty to a drunken driving charge in Virginia on Friday, agreeing to have his license suspended for one year, take alcohol awareness classes and pay a $250 fine.
A 180-day jail sentence for the Idaho Republican has been suspended on the condition of good behavior.
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Speaking to reporters, Crapo expressed contrition for his actions and apologized to his constituents. Reading a prepared statement, he said he had occasionally had alcoholic drinks in his Washington, D.C., apartment in recent months as a way to relieving stress, even though his religion, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, strictly prohibits alcohol consumption.
Crapo acknowledged that he had consumed vodka mixed with tonic water, but disputed reports that said he had taken vodka shots. And he said it was the first time he had gotten behind the wheel after drinking.
“It was a poor choice to use alcohol to relieve stress, and was at odds with my personally held and religious beliefs, ” Crapo said outside the Alexandria General District Court. “However, on the night of Saturday, Dec. 22, I made an even worse decision: to go out for a drive and get out of my apartment and try to wind down.”
