By Susan Weich
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri)
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. —The back of the ambulances warn the public: “Don’t Drink and Drive.” But a new county ambulance district board member stands accused of violating that message for a second time.
Dan McLaughlin, who was elected in April to the St. Charles County Ambulance District Board, was convicted in 2002 of drunken driving. He faces a second DWI charge from 2007.
Some veteran board members are questioning whether McLaughlin should continue to serve the ambulance district, which routinely promotes sober driving and provides medical care to victims of drunken driving crashes.
Board member Mike Garman said that even though it is not illegal for McLaughlin to sit on the board, his actions are embarrassing.
“We’re such a big supporter of MADD ... it’s almost ironic,” he said. “I just don’t think a person of that character should be on the board.”
McLaughlin, 36, a lawyer who lives in St. Peters, said in a statement that he regrets mistakes he has made.
“I know that at so many different levels, my actions have upset, offended and disappointed friends and others,” he said. “The lessons learned have made me a better person and have been a driving force in my desire to serve the community.”
His lawyer, Joel Eisenstein, described the pending charge as “a garden variety DWI.”
“It’s just not that big a deal,” Eisenstein said.
The case has been delayed in court more than 20 times.
Eisenstein blamed the trial delays on St. Charles County circuit cases taking priority over associate circuit cases and because of conflicts with McLaughlin’s and his own trial schedules.
“That’s just the way the system works,” Eisenstein said. “It’s unfortunate that Mr. McLaughlin’s case has dragged out, but it’s through no reason other than it just happens from time to time.”
Michael Boland, a spokesman for the Gateway Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said he thinks it would be in the best interest of the community if McLaughlin resigned.
“Considering how very strongly MADD supports emergency medical individuals - whether they be police, fire, ambulance, they all play an integral part in saving lives - this man did not serve the public trust very well,” he said.
Garman said he learned about McLaughlin’s DWI charges after the election and criticized McLaughlin in a speech before he was sworn in.
Although McLaughlin’s DWI is no longer a topic of discussion at board meetings, Garman and other directors say they are monitoring the case.
“If he’s convicted a second time, obviously, I’m going to ask for him to step down,” Garman said.
According to court documents, McLaughlin, in October 2002, pleaded guilty in Chesterfield municipal court of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated the previous June.
Then on March 16, 2007, he was arrested on suspicion of DWI after he allegedly failed to stay in his lane on Highway 40 near Winghaven Boulevard in O’Fallon, Mo.
Prosecutors said McLaughlin agreed to a breath test and registered a 0.167 percent blood alcohol content, twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent.
Since the charge was filed, McLaughlin’s case has stalled in court for more than two years, records show. The case has been assigned to four judges who either recused themselves because of a potential conflict with McLaughlin’s job as a lawyer, or because McLaughlin’s attorney asked for a different judge. The next hearing in the case is set for Aug. 6.
State law does not prevent McLaughlin from holding public office even if he is convicted of a second misdemeanor DWI.
Officials with the Missouri Department of Revenue said McLaughlin’s license was suspended for three months after his 2007 arrest, but if he is convicted, his license could be revoked for one year. In addition, McLaughlin would have to complete a second substance abuse program and buy high-risk auto insurance for two years.
Board member Vivian Kaesser said McLaughlin should be held to the same standards as the district’s paramedics.
According to district policy, paramedics who lose their drivers license for reasons that would include driving drunk are suspended immediately without pay and benefits until they can get a valid license. A district spokesman said he was not aware of any paramedics who had faced DWI charges.
Kaesser said she wasn’t happy about the McLaughlin situation, “but I don’t know what can be done.”
“Not only are we a public agency, we’re also part of the medical field, and people know what drugs and alcohol can do to them,” she said.
Board member Matthew Simmons has another perspective.
“Prior to joining the board, Dan made an unfortunate mistake in his private life,” he said. “Dan took responsibility for his conduct and has put the matter behind him.”
The other two board members, Mark Fenton and Joan Peery, declined to comment, citing the pending criminal charges.
Garman said McLaughlin’s service on the board is taking the district in the wrong direction.
“I’m sure most of the public would not be very happy if they knew about the first DWI, let alone the second arrest,” he said.
McLaughlin said this is the first public office he has held.
“Several people encouraged me to run for the ambulance district board because they thought I would bring a professional perspective and sense of civility to the board,” he said.
McLaughlin Was elected McLaughlin Was elected in April.
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