Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman Steve Kerrigan admitted in court that there was sufficient evidence in the drunk driving case against him. Kerrigan had been arrested during a traffic stop last month.
According to Westborough District Court records, Kerrigan was stopped in Southborough on June 13 and entered a plea of "admission to sufficient facts" at his arraignment on June 15. This legal arrangement means the defendant acknowledges that the prosecution has enough evidence for a conviction.
The 54-year-old politician faced charges of negligent driving and a lane violation in addition to operating under the influence (OUI). The court dismissed the negligent driving charge and found him not responsible for the lane violation.
The judge sentenced Kerrigan to one year of probation, a 45-day license suspension, a $600 fine, and completion of a drunk driving education program.
A Southborough Police Department report states that an officer pulled over Kerrigan's vehicle just after midnight on June 14 after seeing it traveling on the lane line. The report noted that Kerrigan's eyes were "glassy" and "bloodshot," and his speech was slow and slurred. The officer also noted that he could not smell alcohol due to a strong cologne odor.
Kerrigan told police he was returning home from a restaurant and had drunk two beers around 6 p.m. before dinner. A breathalyzer test showed a blood alcohol content of 0.089. The legal limit in Massachusetts is 0.08.
In a statement to Boston.com through his attorney, Kerrigan said, "I was pulled over in June for a lane violation and blew 0.089 on the breathalyzer. I take full responsibility for my actions and their consequences and I am sorry. I thank the Southborough Police Department and Westborough Court for their professionalism and service."
Steve Kerrigan was elected chairman of the Massachusetts Democratic Party in 2023. He previously ran as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014 and served as an official with the Democratic National Convention Committee. He currently serves as president and CEO of the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center.
