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Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo's arrest raises questions about her fitness for office.
LOS ANGELES, California - State assemblywoman and current candidate for Los Angeles City Council Wendy Carrillo was arrested Friday morning for driving under the influence of alcohol, with authorities saying she was double over the legal driving limit, raising serious questions about her fitness for both her current and future office.
The incident transpired around 1:30 a.m. on the 6200 block of Monterey Road, where Carrillo is alleged to have recklessly crashed into two parked cars. Law enforcement was quick to respond, and the subsequent arrest raised serious concerns about the assemblymember's judgment and decision-making. LAPD Capt. Kelly Muniz revealed that Carrillo's blood-alcohol level was potentially a staggering "double the legal limit or more."
Carrillo, who has been in the public eye since her 2017 election to represent an Eastside Assembly district, is currently vying for a City Council position against incumbent Councilmember Kevin de León and several other candidates. The looming March election covers a district that spans from downtown to El Sereno and Eagle Rock.
In a damage-control effort, Carrillo released a statement later on Friday expressing relief that no injuries resulted from her actions. She acknowledged the need for personal accountability and issued an apology for falling short of the expected standards of her role.
“As a public servant, I am aware that I must adhere to a higher standard that demands personal accountability for my conduct and I accept responsibility for my actions,” Carrillo declared. “I sincerely apologize to my family, constituents, colleagues and staff for any actions of mine that have fallen short of that expectation. I intend to seek the necessary help and support. As I do so, I remain dedicated to my family, my constituents and the community that I grew-up in and am proud to represent.”
This latest scandal follows closely on the heels of a similar incident involving another Democratic leader, state Sen. Dave Min (D-Irvine), who was arrested six months prior on a DUI charge. Min confessed to the misdemeanor, labeling his behavior as “irresponsible,” and now Carrillo's arrest raises further questions about the suitability of certain candidates for public office.