The Tea Party?
Alan: Is it time to do drug testing in Congress? American conservatives are all "on something." And why does Radel get off with a one year suspended sentence?
Congressman says in court that he's "hit a bottom" and realizes he needs help.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
WASHINGTON — Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession of cocaine and was sentenced to one year of supervised probation.
Radel's Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trey_Radel
"I've hit a bottom where I realize I need help. And I have aggressively pursued that help," Radel said, as he admitted in District of Columbia Superior Court that he purchased 3.5 grams of cocaine.
The freshman congressman, who represents a solidly Republican district in southwest Florida, said he'll enter a rehab program. He will also pay a $250 fine on the misdemeanor charge.
Radel, 37, vowed that he will "come out of this stronger" and told Judge Robert Tignor that he wants to "continue serving this country."
Radel is believed to be the first sitting member of Congress charged with a drug crime since then-Rep. Frederick Richmond, D-N.Y., who was convicted in 1982 on charges of drug possession and tax evasion.
Radel was caught buying drugs in what a senior Drug Enforcement Administration official described as a sting operation that was part of an investigation by several federal agencies into a drug ring in the nation's capital. A drug dealer who told law enforcement officials that one of his customers was a member of Congress helped set up a buy on Oct. 29 and Radel bought the cocaine, the official said.
The DEA official was not authorized to speak publicly about the case.
The arrest of Radel, who was elected last year with Tea Party support in the Fort Myers-Naples area district, rocked Congress and his home state. The congressman's arrest comes as Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been stripped of his powers by the City Council for smoking crack, drinking and boorish behavior.
Radel, a former TV reporter before entering politics, apologized for his actions during his court appearance. "I have let my constituents down, my country down and, most importantly, my wife and child down," Radel said.
In a statement Tuesday expressing remorse, he said he struggles with alcoholism.
"This led to an extremely irresponsible choice," Radel said in his statement. "Believe me, I am disappointed in myself, and I stand ready to face the consequences of my actions."
The Florida Democratic Party called on Radel to resign immediately from Congress. "Congressman Trey Radel's conduct is an embarrassment to his district and to the state of Florida," said Scott Arceneaux, executive director of the Florida Democratic Party.
Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, said Tuesday the incident is "between Rep. Radel, his family and his constituents."
On Radel's Facebook page Tuesday night, there were posts that were both supportive and angry. While some people gave him credit for taking responsibility for his actions, others blasted him for his behavior.
As a member of Congress, Radel has co-sponsored legislation to change the nation's mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws and voted for a bill that called for states to drug test people who receive food stamps.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Trey Radel, R-Fla., pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession of cocaine and was sentenced to one year of supervised probation.
"I've hit a bottom where I realize I need help. And I have aggressively pursued that help," Radel said, as he admitted in District of Columbia Superior Court that he purchased 3.5 grams of cocaine.
The freshman congressman, who represents a solidly Republican district in southwest Florida, said he'll enter a rehab program. He will also pay a $250 fine on the misdemeanor charge.
Radel, 37, vowed that he will "come out of this stronger" and told Judge Robert Tignor that he wants to "continue serving this country."
Radel is believed to be the first sitting member of Congress charged with a drug crime since then-Rep. Frederick Richmond, D-N.Y., who was convicted in 1982 on charges of drug possession and tax evasion.
Radel was caught buying drugs in what a senior Drug Enforcement Administration official described as a sting operation that was part of an investigation by several federal agencies into a drug ring in the nation's capital. A drug dealer who told law enforcement officials that one of his customers was a member of Congress helped set up a buy on Oct. 29 and Radel bought the cocaine, the official said.
The DEA official was not authorized to speak publicly about the case.
The arrest of Radel, who was elected last year with Tea Party support in the Fort Myers-Naples area district, rocked Congress and his home state. The congressman's arrest comes as Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been stripped of his powers by the City Council for smoking crack, drinking and boorish behavior.
Radel, a former TV reporter before entering politics, apologized for his actions during his court appearance. "I have let my constituents down, my country down and, most importantly, my wife and child down," Radel said.
In a statement Tuesday expressing remorse, he said he struggles with alcoholism.
"This led to an extremely irresponsible choice," Radel said in his statement. "Believe me, I am disappointed in myself, and I stand ready to face the consequences of my actions."
The Florida Democratic Party called on Radel to resign immediately from Congress. "Congressman Trey Radel's conduct is an embarrassment to his district and to the state of Florida," said Scott Arceneaux, executive director of the Florida Democratic Party.
Michael Steel, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, said Tuesday the incident is "between Rep. Radel, his family and his constituents."
On Radel's Facebook page Tuesday night, there were posts that were both supportive and angry. While some people gave him credit for taking responsibility for his actions, others blasted him for his behavior.
As a member of Congress, Radel has co-sponsored legislation to change the nation's mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws and voted for a bill that called for states to drug test people who receive food stamps.
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