StarBulletin.com

Hannemann aide fined in DUI case


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POSTED: Saturday, October 04, 2008

City spokesman Bill Brennan apologized to the court, the community and his family for driving drunk and commended the Honolulu Police Department and state Health Department for their professionalism in handling his case.

Brennan, 55, pleaded no contest in Honolulu District Court yesterday to operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol Aug. 22.

Judge Clarence Pacarro ordered Brennan to pay a $500 fine and $417 in court costs and fees, and to undergo 14 hours of alcohol and drug assessment and education. He also suspended Brennan's driver's license for three months.

The license suspension will run at the same time as a six-month suspension imposed by the state Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office.

Brennan's license was automatically suspended when police arrested him. The revocation office upheld the suspension four days later. However, Brennan has the opportunity to challenge the suspension. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday.

Following his arrest, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann suspended Brennan from work for five days without pay.

Brennan failed a field sobriety test when police stopped him near his home in Kahala. In court yesterday, Brennan did not dispute that his blood-alcohol content was 0.133. It is unlawful for a person who has 0.08 blood alcohol content or higher to operate a vehicle. Brennan said he thanked the Department of Health because it conducted a blood draw test for alcohol.

Police also cited Brennan for not having his vehicle registration, making an unsafe lane change and disregarding traffic lane markings. Those violations are pending.