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DUI Charges Against Bannister Dropped

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway announced Thursday he was dropping DUI charges against County Commission Chair Charles Bannister.

Conway said blood tests returned from the night of the arrest showed an alcohol level of zero, matching results taken from a Breathalyzer.

Bannister issued a statement Thursday that said, "As I already knew, the blood samples analyzed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation have proven that I was not under the influence of alcohol or any other substances on the night of my arrest. I have been completely exonerated and am relieved that the truth has now been revealed."

The statement went on to say, "I will continue to do as I have done for more than 37 years and focus on serving the citizens of Gwinnett County and on my family. They are truly the ones who have suffered most from these false charges."

Sheriff's deputies arrested Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister Monday night after they said he was driving under the influence in his county-issued car.

Gwinnett County's top official was released from jail late Monday night.

A spokesperson for the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office said deputies received a tip from a caller inside a Lilburn restaurant who claimed they saw Bannister drinking at the bar. Deputies stopped the chairman after they said he performed an improper lane change.

VIDEO: Gwinnett Chairman Accused Of DUI

The sheriff's office spokesperson said Bannister failed a series of field sobriety tests, including failing to walk a straight line and omitting letters from the alphabet when asked to recite them.

Bannister was booked into the county jail. He was later released on a signature bond.

Bannister released a statement and a report showing results of a test taken with an alcohol analyzer. The report showed two samples taken from Bannister, both registering a blood-alcohol content of zero.

"I regret that this matter has occurred. I am making the results of the state-administered breath test public, which indicates that the machine was working properly and the test results were 0, which indicates no presence of alcohol in my system," said Bannister in the statement.

"I apologize to the residents of Gwinnett County, my colleagues and my family for any embarrassment this has caused. Until this matter is resolved, I will not drive any county vehicles but will continue to perform my duties as county commission chairman," said Bannister. "In the end, I am confident I will be completely exonerated."

Sheriff Butch Conway also released a statement regarding the Breathalyzer results for Bannister.

He said, "Based on the totality of the circumstances -- which include witness statements, restaurant employee statements, the statements of Chairman Bannister, the odor of alcohol on his breath and the failure of the field sobriety tests -- the deputy did not feel that the breath test revealed an accurate reading. He made the decision to get a blood test and to charge him with DUI based on his observations at the scene, at the jail and from the independent witness statements inside the restaurant. I stand behind the actions the deputy took last night."