An Ohio legislator from Western Hamilton County faces charges of driving under the influence.
WLWT has learned that state Rep. Robert Mecklenborg, 59, was arrested on April 23 in Dearborn County, Ind. According to the police report, Mecklenborg was pulled over -- in a car with Kentucky license plates -- at 2:47 a.m. on U.S. 50 east of Lorey Lane.
Mecklenborg was pulled over for a non-functioning headlight, but the arresting officer wrote in the report that he had reason to believe Mecklenborg was intoxicated. The officer described an odor of alcohol and wrote that Mecklenborg had glossy, bloodshot eyes.
Mecklenborg refused a chemical test, according to the police report.
Mecklenborg was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a misdemeanor.
WLWT reached Mecklenborg for comment on Wednesday evening. He confirmed that he pleaded not guilty to the charge and said, "Everybody's innocent until proven guilty."
He is scheduled to appear in court again on July 26.
When pressed for more details about his arrest, Mecklenborg said he would have no further comment.
Everyone falls short of perfection. No one is perfect. However, as an elected official, you cannot get yourself into this situation. If the rep. was intoxicated or impaired, it would have been quite easy to get a taxi or some sort of plan for transportation.
Elected officials on both sides of the aisle need to quit thinking "don't you know who I am? I can't be caught." Instead, they should think, "I am a leader. I need to lead by example. Don't I know who and what I am? I should know better."
7pm Update Really??? A Stripper, Sir?
It just keeps getting worse for Rep. Mecklenborg. Now, WLWT has discovered through police reports that the state rep endangered a passenger in his car. That passenger was a woman. The passenger was a woman who was not Mecklenborg's wife or the mother of his 3 children. According to reports at WLWT:
WLWT has learned through court records that the person in question was a passenger in the car.
WLWT has been working to confirm reports that the woman works as a stripper at a club in Lawrenceburg. No one at the club would confirm her employment, but an employee at the club told WLWT they would pass along a message to her.
According to the State House of Representatives website, Mecklenborg is married with three children.
WLWT reached Mecklenborg for comment Thursday afternoon. He read a statement to WLWT's Stephanie Stone over the phone.
Mecklenborg said, "Being human, I have made a mistake and this has caused great hurt to my family, and I'm deeply sorry for that. I've served tirelessly and well my constituents and I want to apologize to them as well. While the discovery process in this case goes on, I am entitled to the same presumption of innocence as any other citizen. Beyond this, it is a personal matter, which I trust you will respect."
If it is true that Mr. Mecklenborg was with a stripper during this late night sojourn, along with being drunk, then Mr. Mecklenborg has cast dark aspersions on his office, his district, his party, and the General Assembly and should resign immediately.
In my opinion, Mr. M's statement in the update is the beginning of the resignation process. This is how it starts, with the "it is personal and I have hurt my family" business. Sir, you were supposed to be a leader. You are married with 3 children. Reprehensible.
