What’s the best play for a Michigan state lawmaker arrested on a charge of driving while impaired?
Why, release the information to the media more than a day later just after 5 p.m. Friday, when most journalists have filed their last story of the week and begun the trek to the nearest watering hole.
And when most police spokespersons have disappeared from the info grid.
That was the playbook state Rep. Bob Genetski followed when he finally disclosed Friday his arrest early Thursday by Michigan State University police. The Associated Press reported today that the Saugatuck Republican claimed he was pulled over for “driving slightly above the speed limit” while he was headed to a motel after leaving the state Capitol area.
Genetski claims he didn't think he was inebriated and passed a field sobriety test, but that the officer asked him to take a breath test anyway. Genetski said he refused and was subsequently arrested and taken to Ingham County Jail.
Genetski said he took a breath test at the jail, showing a blood-alcohol of .066 percent. Michigan’s legal limit is .08 percent. He then was released from jail about 8 a.m. Thursday, according to Gongwer News.
Genetski said the incident was "humbling and eye-opening." The Associated Press was unable to reach MSU police today to confirm Genetski’s account or the status of the charge.
One almost can’t blame Genetski for the timing of the disclosure of his arrest. It’s part of a political playbook that goes back many generations, and is designed to give the representative more control over the story during a weekend news cycle.
Perhaps more troubling is that MSU police chose not to disclose the arrest to the media, despite the obvious public interest. True, it’s a relatively minor charge, but whenever a public official, particularly a state representative, is arrested, the public has a right to know.
Surely, that is taught by political science professors on campus. Maybe, someone needs a refresher course.
