Arizona legislator takes leave for rehab

Groe agrees to treatment after earlier DUI is revealed

Matthew Benson | The Arizona Republic | Mar. 28, 2007 12:00 AM

A state lawmaker arrested last week on suspicion of driving drunk and with an invalid license will take a leave of absence from the Arizona Legislature to complete a 30-day alcohol-treatment program.

Rep. Trish Groe, a Lake Havasu City Republican, made the announcement Tuesday afternoon during a halting, tear-filled address on the Capitol lawn. It came just hours after she was confronted by The Arizona Republic.

She was asked about reports that she had been cited seven years ago in California on charges of driving under the influence and driving with an invalid license.

Groe had previously denied having any prior DUIs when asked by The Republic.

La Paz County Attorney Martin Brannan said he already planned to charge Groe with aggravated DUI, a felony for which conviction would mean ouster from the Legislature.

When notified Tuesday by The Republic of Groe's earlier DUI, he said it would make her ability to plead down to a misdemeanor less likely and could result in more jail time if she's convicted.

Speaking Tuesday, Groe, who was backed by legislative allies and with her husband at her side, apologized to "my husband, my family, my friends and colleagues and, most of all, the constituents who've placed their trust in me. I am ashamed that I've betrayed that trust."

Groe, 37, was pulled over for erratic driving Thursday evening while traveling from Phoenix to her western Arizona home. A La Paz County sheriff's deputy who pulled her over noticed the smell of alcohol in Groe's vehicle and on her breath, according to the police report.

Her blood-alcohol content registered 0.168 percent, 0.158 percent and 0.148 percent on a series of Breathalyzer tests administered over an hour or so. That's roughly twice the state's legal limit of 0.08 percent for drunken driving.

Groe told the deputy she was "a functioning alcoholic," according to the police report.

On Tuesday, she acknowledged that by saying, "I have struggled with alcohol for some time in my adult life."

Following her announcement, Sen. Ron Gould, also a Lake Havasu City Republican and one of Groe's friends in the Legislature, said he had known of her drinking problem.

He said he is confident "she'll get past it" with treatment and the support of her friends and family.

In November 1999, Groe was cited for DUI and driving without a valid license in Orange County, Calif., where she made her home. The driving without a valid license charge was later dismissed, according to court records.

She explained it Tuesday by saying she was a valid driver at the time but had simply forgotten to bring her license with her at the time she was pulled over.

She pleaded guilty to DUI and was sentenced to three years of probation and eight hours of community service and fined more than $1,000. Her license was restricted for 90 days.

Following that run-in with the law, Groe said she underwent treatment and was sober "for many years."

But she said, "This past year I've relapsed, which culminated in my arrest in La Paz County (last Thursday).

"I am so grateful to those officers who pulled me over. I'm thankful to God that I didn't injure or kill anyone. Somehow, I'm going to take away something good from this."

The Law Offices of Edward A. Loss III encourages all people who feel they might have a problem with alcohol or other drugs to seek help before they find themselves caught up in the Criminal "Justice" system.

This information is courtesy of http://www.azcentral.com/.