Risch supports Crapo after DUI arrest
At least one fellow lawmaker is supporting Sen. Mike Crapo after the Idaho Republican was arrested and charged with driving under the influence.
“Sen. Crapo has acknowledged that he made a serious mistake and he has apologized for his actions,” said Sen. Jim Risch, also an Idaho Republican. “As a friend and colleague, I offer my support and help to him in any way I can. Sen. Crapo has worked hard on behalf of Idahoans for many years and I have full confidence that Sen. Crapo will continue his dedicated and unselfish service to the people of Idaho.””
Crapo was pulled over in a Washington, D.C., suburb early Sunday morning after police say he ran a red light.
Police in Alexandria, Va., said Sunday that Crapo failed field sobriety tests and was arrested at about 12:45 a.m. He was transported to the Alexandria jail and released on an unsecured $1,000 bond about four hours later
Police said Crapo had a blood alcohol content of .110. The legal limit in Virginia is .08. Police said Crapo was alone and in his personal car at the time of the traffic stop.
He will be in court Jan. 4.
Crapo released this statement:
“I am deeply sorry for the actions that resulted in this circumstance. I made a mistake for which I apologize to my family, my Idaho constituents and any others who have put their trust in me. I accept total responsibility and will deal with whatever penalty comes my way in this matter. I will also undertake measures to ensure that this circumstance is never repeated.”
Crapo’s arrest contradicts his public persona as a teetotaling member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church bar members from using alcohol, as well as coffee, tea and some other substances.
Crapo has been in the Senate since 1998, and served for six years in the House before that.
Crapo is a member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs committee of which he was expected to become the ranking member. He’s also on the budget and finance committees, the environment and public works committee, and the Indian affairs committee.
In 2011, Crapo was a member of the “Gang of Six,” a bipartisan committee working to write a deficit-reduction plan that would never be approved on Congress.
Crapo grew up in Idaho Falls. He was named a bishop in the Mormon church at age 31. He is an attorney who graduated from Brigham Young University and Harvard Law School. He has five children with his wife, Susan, and three grandchildren.
