Rep. Trey Radel, a Freshman Republican Congressman from Florida, has apologized to his constituents today, since he has been charged with misdemeanor cocaine possession.
Radel was arrested back on Oct. 29 in Washington, D.C. According to MSNBC, he was in D.C. Superior Court Tuesday and will have another court appearance Wednesday morning. If he’s convicted, he could be sentenced to 180 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000.
“I'm profoundly sorry to let down my family, particularly my wife and son, and the people of Southwest Florida,” Redel said in a statement, reports CNN. “I struggle with the disease of alcoholism, and this led to an extremely irresponsible choice. As the father of a young son and a husband to a loving wife, I need to get help so I can be a better man for both of them.”
Radel, a former journalist, did not say he would resign, instead that he hopes to set an example for others dealing with addiction. “I know I have a problem and will do whatever is necessary to overcome it, hopefully setting an example for others struggling with this disease,” he said.
He was elected last November to represent Florida’s 19th district and had the support of the tea party. Radel once called himself a ‘hip-hop conservative’ and did co-sponsor an attempt to defund President Obama’s health care law.
“Members of Congress should be held to the highest standards, and the alleged crime will be handled by the courts,” House Speaker John Boehner’s spokesman said. “Beyond that, this is between Rep. Radel, his family, and his constituents.”
image: Wikimedia Commons
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