PROVIDENCE – R.I. House Minority leader Robert A. Watson issued a statement on Monday morning “vehemently” denying that he was operating a vehicle under the influence after he was arrested on Friday evening in Connecticut.
Watson explained that he entered a sobriety checkpoint at approximately 9:30 p.m. at which point “trace evidence of marijuana” was discovered by police and charged with operating under the influence.
At the police station, Watson said he was given a breathalyzer test which showed he was below the legal blood alcohol content limit of .08 and released an hour later.
“Because of the position I hold within the community as an elected official and as an attorney, I recognize that my personal issue will have to be dealt with publicly and in the court of public opinion,” Watson said, adding that he will give further comment at a later date.
