歪歪漫画

ST. CLOUD 鈥� Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, will appear by Wednesday, Sept. 6, in Kanabec County court on DWI charges.

Daniel Kirk Wolgamott faces one fourth-degree DWI charge and one DWI charge for having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than 0.08%.

According to an email sent by the Kanabec County Attorney鈥檚 Office, Wolgamott鈥檚 BAC was measured at 0.099%, which is above the legal limit. His sample was sent after his arrest by the Minnesota State Patrol on Friday, July 7.

Just before his arrest, Kanabec County dispatch received a complaint involving a Lincoln and someone drinking in a liquor store parking lot, according to the State Patrol incident report. At about 6 p.m. July 7, the trooper found the vehicle driving on Highway 23 in Arthur Township, Minnesota.

The Lincoln appeared to be weaving within its lane, according to an incident report, and the trooper made a traffic stop and Wolgamott was identified as the driver.

鈥淒uring the trooper鈥檚 interaction with Wolgamott, the trooper observed signs of alcohol impairment,鈥� the report states.

Wolgamott was placed under arrest and booked into the Kanabec County Jail. He was released at around 4 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, according to the jail.

Two weeks after the incident, Wolgamott issued a public apology:

鈥淚 take full responsibility for my actions, and I ask for your forgiveness. I am committed to doing the work I need to do in my life to ensure nothing like this ever happens again, and that my actions live up to the trust you have placed in me.鈥�

Because both charges are misdemeanors, Wolgamott may be sentenced for no more than 90 days or receive a fine of not more than $1,000, for each charge. Both may be imposed.

鈥淥n Friday, July 7, while attending a weekend wedding celebration outside of Mora, Minnesota, I was stopped by law enforcement in Kanabec County under suspicion for driving while impaired. I have received a citation indicating that my BAC was 0.09.鈥�

鈥淪ince this incident occurred, I have taken actions to live up to my commitment to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.

鈥淚 have received certification for my participation in a Mothers鈥� Against Drunk Driving victim panel, in which I heard heart-breaking stories about the fatal and tragic consequences of drunk driving. My heart goes out to the families who participated in the panel, and I thank them for their courage in sharing their stories.鈥�

鈥淚 have undergone a professional chemical health assessment. I received six separate risk rating scores of 鈥渮ero鈥�, and was issued an assessment that I do not have an alcohol use disorder.鈥�

鈥淚 have received certification for my participation in an 8-hour level 1 alcohol education class.鈥�

"I want to reiterate my wholehearted apology to my family, my friends, my colleagues, and my constituents, and once again express my gratitude to the law enforcement officers who made sure I got home safe.鈥�

鈥淚 take full responsibility for my actions, and I ask for your forgiveness. I will continue to do the work I need to ensure nothing like this ever happens again, and that my actions live up to the trust you have placed in me."