Home Antioch Contra Costa County DA Charges Antioch Mayor for DUI

Contra Costa County DA Charges Antioch Mayor for DUI

by ECT

Martinez, Calif. — Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe was charged with two Misdemeanor counts of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol on April 1, 2022.

The Office of the District Attorney of Contra Costa County received a referral from the California Highway Patrol on March 23, 2022, on two violations of California Vehicle Code 23152 (a) and 23152 (b) that occurred on March 19, 2022, in Pleasant Hill.

After an evaluation, a charging decision was made on the following counts:

  • Count 1 – Driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage VC 23152 (a)
  • Count 2 – Driving with a .08% blood alcohol content VC 23152 (b)

The case has been submitted to the Superior Court of Contra Costa County and a Notice to Appear will be issued by the Court.

End of Press Release


The announcement came a day after Mary Knox, a candidate running for District Attorney against Becton, calling for action from District Attorney Diana Becton after more than 60 days passed with no action on a DUI case involving a Becton campaign endorser, Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe.

Knox’s campaign says as of May 17th, no decision or action had been taken in the case. However, the DA”s press release Friday is back dating the charging date of April . But Knox’s campaign made a public records request and the response they got said no documents were available as no decision had been made and it was still under investigation. They also said no charges or pending cases against Thorpe were listed on the county website.

As of Friday, there was still nothing posted on the Online Portal for Contra Costa County Superior Court regarding this DUI case.


Per California Highway Patrol:

On 3/19/22 at 1:15 am, CHP Contra Costa conducted an enforcement stop on a gray Volvo traveling on northbound I-680 near Monument Blvd. The driver and only occupant of the Volvo was identified as Lamar Thorpe . The officers conducted a DUI investigation and Thorpe was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. Thorpe was cited for violations 23152(a) VC and 23152(b) VC and released from custody at 3:35am.
As officers were investigating this incident there was an injury collision being investigated in the same area. These two incidents are unrelated.

Mayor Thorpe released the following statement  after his arrest morning:

Good Morning Antioch,

I wanted to come before you today because I wanted to share some personal news with you. Last night, after having dinner with a friend, I was pulled over by the California Highway Patrol and cited for driving under the influence. For that I take full responsibility.

Under the advice of counsel, I am limited in what I can share with you. But I felt it was important to be open and direct with you.

Although I never felt inhibited by the drink I had with my dinner and I am deeply sorry for the lapse in judgment and I hope you can forgive me.

Being your mayor has been one of the greatest honors of my life and I am sorry if I have embarrassed you in any way. You have my full commitment that I will grow and learn from this moment and will continue to work diligently for the residents of Antioch.

Thank you for listening and have a wonderful day.

No other information was released, including Thorpe’s Blood Alcohol Level at the time of his arrest.

 

You may also like

10 comments

Jaimoe May 20, 2022 - 7:17 pm

“… the drink I had with my dinner.”
Sure doesn’t seem like taking responsibility.
Hit the road Jack-off.

Rob S May 21, 2022 - 1:16 am

I don’t know this man from a hole in the wall, but based on what I am reading here and in other news stories about Mr. Thorpe I find his response is extremely disingenuous! And, this is a man voted in to the city council? Seriously?

The Truth May 21, 2022 - 10:51 am

Blood or breath? Lab results?

MATTHEW KATOVICH May 21, 2022 - 1:07 pm

1 drink with dinner huh? What was he drinking then?…moonshine? And that’s illegal fa sho. But on the real, if he’s telling the truth, he should have never been cited, and that then makes me believe this was a racially motivated arrest backed by the ones in office that want to take his seat. Fight the power. And I’m a white dude. Lol.

Barbara May 22, 2022 - 8:44 pm

Telling the truth? The truth is in the blood test. It was well past dinner when he was arrested. He thought he was above the law and it didn’t work out for him. Same as that joke of a council member and her lawless children🙄

Elijah May 22, 2022 - 1:56 am

Mayor or not. You broke the laws and now you will pay for the crimes you broke. It doesn’t matter if you’re a person in office or a citizen. YOU BROKE THE LAWS AND NOW IT’S TIME TO PAY FOR YOUR CRIMES.

SYSTEMIC LIBERAL LIES May 22, 2022 - 6:52 am

Pathetic Liberals

heehawfan May 23, 2022 - 10:03 am

Pathetic conservatives commit DUI too … It’s an all inclusive crime.

Paco taco May 22, 2022 - 10:51 am

String him up

LASHUNDA MCDOWELL May 22, 2022 - 5:01 pm

People are being very judgemental and over the top in this situation. Understandably being the mayor you are held at a higher standard. But to try to double charge him is ridiculous. A dui is only if you blow .08% or higher. So what is charge 1 even about? Thank you for the public apology. Pay your fees and serve your time and face your shame like every one else. And please dont let this happen again.

Comments are closed.