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Callaghan pays fine in vehicular mishap
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Posted on Mar 31 2005
Pete Callaghan, the governor’s press secretary, has changed his plea in a court case related to a May 4, 2004, vehicular accident where the official allegedly attempted to escape the scene without waiting for traffic investigators.
Callaghan entered a nolo contendere plea to a charge of accident, which meant that he was not contesting the charge. Consequently, Superior Court judge Juan T. Lizama imposed a $300-fine on Callaghan sometime last month.
Verification with the Superior Court yesterday showed that Callaghan has already paid the fine and a $25-court fee. A court document also showed that Callaghan was to donate $25 to the Crime Stoppers.
Lizama ordered Callaghan to pay the fine on Feb.18. Court records showed that Callaghan paid the fine on Feb. 25.
The Attorney General’s Office agreed to have the false reporting charge dismissed, which the court upheld.
The AGO had charged Callaghan, whom they said failed to immediately stop and notify the owner of the unattended vehicle he hit in a vehicular accident. In suing Callaghan, it alleged that the press secretary unlawfully gave false information in both oral and written reports.
Callaghan’s involvement in the accident sparked a controversy last year, with Sen. Pete Reyes urging the Legislature to conduct an oversight hearing on the matter. Reyes claimed that Callaghan was given preferential treatment, saying that the press secretary was not tested for blood alcohol content.
