Bluestem has come down on Minnesota state representative Matt Grossell, R-Clearbrook, for his moments of drunk driving, so it's only fair to cover St. Cloud area DFL lawmaker Dan Wolgamott's recent infraction.
At the Star Tribune, Ryan Faircloth has published the video from the liquor store in 'I take full responsibility': DFL state Rep. Dan Wolgamott apologizes for recent DWI arrest.
From the Minnesota Reformer:
Wolgamott on suspected DWI: ‘I take full responsibility for my actions’
By Michelle GriffithRep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, on Thursday apologized for his behavior and arrest on suspicion of driving while impaired on July 7.
In a statement to the Reformer, Wolgamott said he takes “full responsibility for my actions, and I ask for your forgiveness.”
“I wholeheartedly apologize to my family, my friends, my colleagues, and my constituents, and thank the law enforcement officers who made sure I got home safe,” Wolgamott said.
Wolgamott was arrested by the Minnesota State Patrol on suspicion of DWI in Kanabec County — about 85 miles north of St. Paul.
According to the State Patrol’s incident report, on July 7 a person called in a complaint about a person drinking in a liquor store parking lot. The trooper later saw the car weaving within its own lane, according to the report, and the trooper pulled the car over. Wolgamott was identified as the driver.
In security camera footage of the liquor store parking lot, Wolgamott appeared to walk out of the store with a brown bag and a package, put them in his trunk, took a drink out of a bottle and then put it back in his trunk, according to footage obtained by the Reformer.
He sat in his car for about five minutes. He then backed out, turned to the right, paused and then changed direction and went left and out of the parking lot.
Kanabec County Attorney Barbara McFadden has not charged Wolgamott with a crime yet, as the county awaits Wolgamott’s blood alcohol content test results.
Minnesota Public Radio first reported that according to a State Patrol warrant seeking a blood or urine sample, Wolgamott failed field sobriety tests and registered .106% in a preliminary breath test.
Wolgamott, who is serving his third term in the House, was booked into the Kanabec County Jail on suspicion of fourth-degree DWI. He was released the next day. In Minnesota, fourth-degree DWI sentences come with a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
Wolgamott, who represents a key swing district in the closely divided DFL-controlled House, said in the statement he is going to seek help.
“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,” he said.
Wolgamott during the session served as Speaker Pro Tempore, meaning he occupied the House speaker’s seat and moderated conversation on the floor when Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, was absent.
Wolgamott was recently named the 2023 “legislator of the year” by the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association.
This Minnesota Reformer article is republished online under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
Photo: House Speaker Pro-Tempore Dan Wolgamott hands the omnibus supplemental education finance and policy bill to Chief Clerk Pat Murphy on April 27. Photo by Paul Battaglia/Minnesota House Information/Minnesota Reformer
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