Rep. Peter Perley, a Republican from Enosburg Falls, was charged last week with drunken driving and resisting arrest.
"I certainly made a mistake — a very serious one,” Perley said Monday. “I am just so sorry that it happened. I’m quite frankly embarrassed.”
Perley, a first-term lawmaker who serves on the House Education Committee, wouldn’t discuss details of what happened, but according to the news reports, Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies were alerted about an intoxicated man by a clerk at the Mobil station on Vermont 105 about 10:30 p.m. March 15. Perley allegedly tried to pull away as a deputy sought to handcuff him.
Perley is a sponsor of “Nick’s Law” legislation that seeks tougher penalties for drunk-driving offenders following the 2007 death of Nick Fournier of Swanton. Asked whether the charge affects his standing on that, Perley said Monday he continues to support the legislation. Supporters of Nick’s Law plan their annual rally at the Statehouse on Tuesday.
- Terri Hallenbeck
Labels: Rep. Peter Perley, vermont legislature
