State Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, addressed his constituents on Wednesday about his recent DUI charge.
Eagle was arrested in Tallahassee during the Legislative session on suspicion of drunk-driving two weeks ago.
According to police records, at 2 am on April 21st he pulled out of a Taco Bell, made a U-turn, nearly hit a curb and ran a stop light in front of cops. Police reports show the freshman lawmaker stumbled out of his SUV and smelled like alcohol when approached.
Eagle refused both a field sobriety test and a Breathalyzer test that night. He now has a suspended driver’s license.
Eagle said during a small press conference that he’s not resigning. Instead, he said he is fighting the charge.
“I don’t believe I am guilty of the charge I have been arrested for,” he said.
Eagle also said he will remain an effective lawmaker, while he deals with the legal issues
“I think I have already proven that,” he explained. “This incident took place two weeks before session ended and in those two weeks I was extremely effective in passing four bills and securing millions in the budget for southwest Florida. My colleagues in Tallahassee have been very supportive and I appreciate that and I understand that I need to work to secure the trust of my constituents and will continue to work hard and prove that I can be effective.”
Although he hasn’t stepped down from the Legislature, Eagle did resign from his job as director of development at the Lee County Building Industry Association.
Already, an opponent has announced he will run against Eagle this November. Former Democratic Congressional Candidate Jim Roach told the News Press he will challenge Eagle as a Republican.
