Harmony Vice Mayor Laura Hoffmeister, a longtime elected metropolis official, has been charged by the Contra Costa District Legal professional on two counts of driving drunk in Could, an incident for which she has already declared “full accountability.”
The vice mayor, who has served on the Harmony Metropolis Council since 1997 and works within the Clayton metropolis supervisor’s workplace, can be arraigned Sept. 13 on one rely of driving beneath the affect and one other for driving with a blood alcohol content material greater than 0.08 or refusing a check.
It’s unclear whether or not Hoffmeister, arrested Could 26 by Clayton police, submitted to a check, and the district legal professional’s workplace declined to offer extra info till after she is arraigned. The vice mayor didn't reply to requests for touch upon the costs.
Hoffmeister didn't return a request for remark Thursday, however in an announcement supplied in Could, the vice mayor stated she had been driving after having dinner and wine with mates. She supplied an apology and talked about “in search of remedy and measures to make sure that this doesn't occur once more.”
“I'm extraordinarily upset in myself and deeply sorry in my lack of judgment,” Hoffmeister stated within the assertion. “I sincerely apologize to the residents of Harmony and Clayton, my colleagues, my household, and mates. As an elected official, I do know the general public expects greater requirements and I agree.”
Her arrest in Could got here days after one other high-ranking East Bay official, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of DUI.
Thorpe, who equally apologized after his arrest earlier within the spring, was already the topic of a recall effort by some Antioch voters, and the costs solely intensified the marketing campaign in opposition to him.
No such efforts have been launched by Harmony voters in opposition to Hoffmeister, and Clayton metropolis officers — Hoffmeister serves as assistant to town supervisor there — didn't reply to a request for remark.
The vice mayor is by far the longest-tenured member of the Harmony Metropolis Council, having served six phrases since 1997. She is up for re-election this November and has filed to run for an additional time period, although she hasn’t but begun actively campaigning.