GOP Rep. Radel ‘Profoundly Sorry’ For Cocaine Charge

[DonViejo]

SAHIL KAPUR – NOVEMBER 19, 2013, 5:15 PM EST

Rep. Trey Radel (R-FL), a first-term congressman, apologized Tuesday after it was reported that he was charged in Washington, D.C. for possession of cocaine.

"I'm profoundly sorry to let down my family, particularly my wife and son, and the people of Southwest Florida," he 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."

The congressman is scheduled to appear before court in D.C. on Wednesday.

Radel, 37, is a former TV journalist, actor and comedian who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and first elected to Congress in 2012. He sits on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

He's among the more conservative members of the conference. He complained in April that the newly elected Republicans hadn't yet had the change to vote to repeal Obamacare.

Radel's statement continued:

full article:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/congressman-trey-radel-apologizes-after-arrest-for-cocaine

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Boehner's Office Weighs In On GOP Congressman's Arrest For Cocaine

SAHIL KAPUR – NOVEMBER 19, 2013, 5:31 PM EST

A spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) responded Tuesday after Rep. Trey Radel (R-FL) apologized upon reports that he was arrested in Washington, D.C. for possession of cocaine.

"Members of Congress should be held to the highest standards, and the alleged crime will be handled by the courts," the Boehner spokesman said. "Beyond that, this is between Rep. Radel, his family, and his constituents."

###

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/boehner-s-office-weighs-in-on-gop-congressman-s-arrest-for-cocaine

[Botany]

1. Using the Mayor Ford excuse ..... it was the booze that made me buy the coke

he is a tea bagging republican too .... no doubt a Christian too

[Heather MC]

7. we could bring back Prohibition?

you know to protect politicians from Cocaine

[yeoman6987]

18. Coke use

This idiot is stupid. It really isn't about the use of coke, but the hypocracy of trying to have hard laws for normal people while he snorts away.

[Botany]

19. Or that he was all sort of twisted on blow when he was making .....

.... on the House floor or on Fox TV talking about how bad Obamacare is for
the American people.

[brucefan]

2. And the taxpayers

Get to pay for his rehab.

[ruffburr]

3. Step down asshole-

I hear there's a job opening in toronto

[SDjack]

4. Rep. Trey Radel: Resign -- You are unworthy.

[Heather MC]

8. When they resign in disgrace do we still pay for their "retirement"

of we do, I am tired sorry for the stupid question

[SDjack]

13. My understanding is that after about 1980, US Members of Congress entered the

Federal Employees Retirement System. The coke head Rep is subject to the FERS rules, which I believe requires him to commit treason or big-time felony to be disqualified. Normally, a FERS member can retire after age 65 with minimum 5 years of service, to the best of my memory. So, if the coke head resigned now with 1 year of Federal service, he may have a difficult time getting 5 years of service. My best guess: he will get nothing from FERS.

[Warpy]

5. I'm sure he's very, very sorry he got caught.

It's time to drug test Congress. I wonder how many of them would pass.

After all, I doubt too many of those guys are true believers in their party's horseshit. The only way to maintain that consistent a facade is chemically.

Most only use large quantites of alcohol, legal but undesirable during working hours. They need to blow a negative breathalyzer before they enter the chamber. Random pee tests are likely also indicated.

[catnhatnh]

6. No Mr Representative "profoundly sorry" doesn't get it....

and No Mr Speaker-every American has a stake in keeping drug users out of congress. In both private and government employment this is a firing offense. How can this be anything else for you? If other republicans speak up for you we should assume they are coke addicts too.

[libdem4life]

9. 2012 ? That sure didn't last long.

[UCmeNdc]

10. Resign!

[Arkana]

11. Don't care.

If this guy was a Democrat they'd be baying for his blood. Democrats should do no less.

[Sunlei]

12. what were the circumstances of the charge? a small misdemeanor cocaine charge.....

a small misdemeanor cocaine charge doesn't bother me as far as ability to do ones job in future.

It is the details around the charge I want to know. For example were the drugs found in his luggage on a return trip from South America?, was he caught in some hooker haven and then drugs found?


If he used his political position in any way to avoid airport searches or to avoid travel barriers in countries like SA (he is a frequent traveler to Colombia, SA) then he should be removed from the Gov position.

[yellowcanine]

14. NOTHING TO SEE HERE! OBAMA LEFT "UNDER GOD" OUT OF GETTYSBURG ADDRESS!!!!!!!!!!

Way more important, dontcha know?????

[PassingFancy]

15. If he's truly sorry, then he should resign

The hypocrisy from the republicans confounds one. They think it's okay for them to stay in office when caught doing something that is illegal; but, they want the heads of Democrats doing the same thing.

Just Step Down Rep. Trey Radel

[In_The_Wind]

16. Hello ~ PassingFancy

[img][/img]

[gopiscrap]

17. welcome to DU