Tea Party Rep.Trey Radel Busted For Cocaine in DC-How Many to go?
Radel, who faces a maximum of 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, was charged Tuesday in D.C. Superior Court with misdemeanor cocaine possession and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
“I’m profoundly sorry to let down my family, particularly my wife and son, and the people of Southwest Florida,” the 37-year-old Republican, whose legal name is Henry Jude Radel III, said in a statement. “I struggle with the disease of alcoholism, and this led to an extremely irresponsible choice. As the father of a young son and a husband to a loving wife, I need to get help so I can be a better man for both of them.”
If Radel had been arrested in his home state for cocaine possession, he would have faced far more serious consequences than in Washington. The crime is a felony in Florida, where Radel would have lost his voting and other civil rights had he been convicted in state court.
Another contrast between D.C. and Florida: If the congressman had been a state worker, he would face termination under Gov. Rick Scott, who wants to drug test state employees.
Radel’s arrest comes amid international attention over the use of cocaine by Toronto’s mayor, conservative Rob Ford, who recently admitted to smoking crack. Like Radel, he blamed his use of alcohol. Unlike Radel, Ford has been defiant and denied at times that he had a drug problem.
A libertarian-leaning Republican, Radel doesn’t support lock-‘em-up policies. He was a co-sponsor of a bill to reduce mandatory-minimum sentencing, which is blamed for incarcerating drug users for prolonged periods and increasing prison populations.
A former TV news anchor and radio-show host, the political newcomer won his Republican-leaning district in 2012 and defeated a host of bigger names in a crowded GOP primary that included Chauncy Goss, the son of former U.S. Rep. Porter Goss, and former state Reps Paige Kreegel and Gary Aubuchon.
Radel’s campaign was accused of dirty tricks when opponents learned he bought up phony websites in their names that appeared to be maintained by them and that, his critics said, misled voters. His business, Trey Enterprises, also owned sexually explicit website names that fellow Republicans criticized.
A fan of rap music, Radel frequently mused about loving old-school hip-hop like Public Enemy and freely engages and jokes with constituents, consultants and reporters on Twitter. He also posts numerous photos of him and his young son.
On the day he was arrested, Oct. 29, Radel made no mention of it but kept tweeting.
Radel noted he was heading to a Geraldo Rivera interview that day, and continued criticizing Obamacare.
“The mandate to carry health insurance is the most unpopular requirement of the health care law. #delaythefine,” he posted at one point.
“Had some fun last few wks. Check out #treydome for look at tour of our Capitol. And for fun- #treyonplane Reviewed hilarious SkyMall mag!,” he said in his last tweet of the day he was arrested.
Critics of the congressman on Tuesday were quick to point out that the very Affordable Care Act bashed by Radel now requires drug-abuse treatment.
Radel made a splash in DC by appearing to be a younger, hipper version of fellow Florida Republican and rap lover Sen. Marco Rubio, whom he jokingly challenged to a rap trivia contest.
“To me, Tupac is what I’ma be listening to in my car. Biggie is at the party,” Radel told Now This News earlier this year. “Man, Rubio’s good. I know that Marco is definitely up to date on a lot of the newer stuff,” but “you throw me in a match in any old school hip hop, I’ll kill it.”
Radel’s political positions are a little more hard-edged. He was one of the original group of Republican lawmakers to start talking about a federal-government shutdown and suggested impeaching President Obama over gun use.
“In facing this charge, I realize the disappointment my family, friends and constituents must feel. Believe me, I am disappointed in myself, and I stand ready to face the consequences of my actions,” Radel said in his statement.
“However, this unfortunate event does have a positive side. It offers me an opportunity to seek treatment and counseling,” the congressman wrote. “I know I have a problem and will do whatever is necessary to overcome it, hopefully setting an example for others struggling with this disease.”
“Please keep my family in your prayers.”
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