Rainwater to do community service on DWI arrest
Rainwater gets pre-trial alternative
One of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s top aides will enter a pre-trial program for DWI offenders rather than stand trial for drunken driving, his spokesman said late Tuesday.
Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater’s spokesman, Michael DiResto, said Rainwater is entering the program following his December arrest.
Baton Rouge City Court Prosecutor Lisa Freeman said Rainwater will have to breathe into an interlock device to start his car, pick up litter and undergo alcohol screenings as part of the program.
“We’re not treating him different than we would treat any other offender,” she said.
Rainwater is scheduled for arraignment on first-offense DWI Wednesday in Baton Rouge City Court.
Freeman said Rainwater or his attorney will need to enter a “not guilty” plea and update the court regularly on progress in the pre-trial diversion program.
“He’s a first-time offender, which is why he’s eligible,” she said.
The yearlong DWI pre-trial diversion program for first-time offenders is managed by East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore’s office.
“I anticipate … that he’s going to be very successful,” Moore said.
Rainwater declined to be interviewed Tuesday about his legal problems.
Instead, he issued a statement reiterating that he is sorry about the arrest.
“I made a poor decision … it won’t happen again,” Rainwater said.
As commissioner, Rainwater meets frequently with the governor to advise him on state budget issues. He also is responsible for the day-to-day operations of state government.
Police arrested Rainwater in December on one count each of first-offense DWI, reckless operation of a vehicle and failure to obey a stop sign or yield sign.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, a Baton Rouge police officer saw Rainwater run a stop sign and drive on the wrong side of the road on Christian Street.
The affidavit said Rainwater performed “very poor” on a field sobriety test and registered a 0.170 blood-alcohol level, or more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent to operate a motor vehicle in Louisiana.
Rainwater was booked into Parish Prison and posted bond.
By going through the pre-trial diversion program, Rainwater avoids a conviction on his record, but must fulfill a number of requirements, Moore said.
The requirements include:
- Installing an interlock device for six months.
- Undergoing a substance-abuse evaluation with possible treatment being ordered.
- Attending classes on alcohol abuse as well as a class conducted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
- Completing driver improvement school.
- Performing 32 hours of community service, half of which is litter detail.
- Drug and alcohol screenings.
Moore said the DWI arrest will stay on Rainwater’s record for five years.
Rainwater was named commissioner of administration in June 2010.
Before that, he worked as the governor’s deputy chief of staff and helped oversee hurricane rebuilding efforts as executive director of
the Louisiana Recovery Authority.