June 18, 2013

Official punished for beery drive in Illinois car

BY: AP Staff Writer DECEMBER 3, 2012 | MODIFIED: DECEMBER 3, 2012 AT 3:00 PM
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CHICAGO (AP) — An Illinois official has been disciplined for driving a state vehicle after drinking beer for five hours at a bar.

The state's executive inspector general released a report Monday on an investigation involving Department of Juvenile Justice Deputy Director of Operations Ronald Smith.

Investigators found Smith drank the equivalent of eight 12-ounce bottles of beer on a Sunday at a sports bar, then drove a state vehicle. He's been suspended for three days.

Smith hasn't returned a message seeking comment left through the department's spokeswoman Monday.

Another juvenile justice employee mentioned in the report who drank part of one alcoholic beverage at the same bar received counseling on the use of state vehicles.

Deputy Inspector General Erin Bonales says the office is thankful nobody was hurt.

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