Judge dismisses public-intoxication charge against U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan

December 4, 2012 at 4:30p.m.

A Virginia judge dismissed a public-intoxication charge today against U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan.

The congressman was charged at 2:01 a.m. Aug. 25 on a Lexington, Va., street corner with the misdemeanor charge. He was there for the wedding of a staff member.

“Tim has said from the start that he was not intoxicated and the arrest was without merit,” said Pat Lowry, a Ryan spokesman. “The case was dismissed.”

Lexington, Va., police declined to give out information in the report except the location and time of the charge and Ryan’s name. Under Virginia’s public-records law, each police department has the authority to provide or deny further information, according to a Lexington police spokeswoman. Lexington Police Chief Al Thomas declined to provide additional information.

Gordon F. Saunders, the presiding judge of the Lexington/Rockbridge General District Court, dismissed the charge today. Ryan of Niles, D-17th, didn’t attend the hearing. He was represented by Attorney David Mackin.

While a student at Bowling Green State University, Ryan was charged three times with disorderly conduct. He was found guilty of one charge in 1993 for having a fake ID while he was a 19-year-old student. The two other charges were dismissed.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com