CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga.,None — Clayton County Commissioner Wole Ralph on Monday denied drunken driving charges after a weekend arrest.
A spokesperson for the Clayton County Board of Commissioners e-mailed Channel 2 a statement on Ralph's behalf that read in part, "I deeply regret this occurrence. I am not guilty of these violations and I look forward to resolving this matter in court."
On Saturday, Atlanta police spokesman Curtis Davenport confirmed that Ralph had been arrested.
Ralph serves as the vice chairman of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners. At 26, he was elected to his first term on the Clayton County Commission, and was the youngest county commissioner in Georgia, according to the county's website.
Commissioner Arrested
Davenport said Ralph was pulled over on Metropolitan Parkway in southwest Atlanta because he was driving recklessly. Ralph refused to cooperate, a struggle ensued and Ralph was arrested, Davenport said.
Ralph was taken to the Grady detention center for DUI processing, Davenport said. He was charged with driving under the influence, obstruction, reckless driving and failure to maintain lane.
"I fully expect that I will be afforded the same due process as any other citizen and subsequently vindicated," Ralph's statement read.
On Sunday, Commissioner Sonna Singleton (District 1) and Commissioner Gail Hambrick (District 2) released a statement regarding Ralph that said, "For the past six years, Wole Ralph has worked tirelessly and unselfishly in service to the people of Clayton County. His leadership, his counsel and his friendship have been invaluable to us as we strive to improve the quality of life in our districts and our county. Let us state unequivocally that nothing we have heard to this point in any way undermines our support for him and our desire to see him continue to provide leadership to this Board and this community. At the appropriate time, Commissioner Ralph will address the events of this past weekend. Until then, as was our position on the allegations made against our chairman related to his many traffic incidents, the discharge of a weapon at the home of a strip club owner, or the sex-related charges he has faced…, we will have no comment."
WSBTV
