Months after taking the job as Hollywood’s new city manager, Douglas Jerome Hewett was arrested for suspicion of DUI.
Hewett, 41, was arrested April 8 on Northeast 156th Street and Biscayne Boulevard and charged with driving under the influence, Miami-Dade Police said.
Hewett issued a statement Friday apologizing for his arrest.
“I can confirm I was stopped by a Miami-Dade police officer in April on suspicion of driving under the influence. At the time of the incident, I advised each member of the City Commission who expressed their concerns about this serious matter,” Hewett said in a statement sent by email.
“Given the nature of this incident, I’ve retained an attorney. On his advice, I’m unable to discuss the facts of this case at this point. However, I deeply regret how this may negatively reflect on the City of Hollywood. I look forward to resolving this matter and continuing to serve the City,” he continued.
On the night of Hewett's arrest, police said they spotted his car swerving on the road and conducted a traffic stop.
According to the arrest report, Hewett had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and a strong smell of alcohol.
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He told police he was returning from “Swinging Richards,” a nightclub, and admitted he drank two Coors Light beers.
After administering a sobriety test, Hewett did not perform to standards, authorities said. He registered breath samples of .145 and .139, according to the report.
Hewett has served as the city manager since February of this year and has more than 16 years working in public administration, according to the City of Hollywood website.
"At the end of the day, it's a judgment issue. We have got to be tuned into this because he is making a lot of decisions big and small on behalf of the city, and we need to make sure that we have somebody with excellent judgment running things all the time," said Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober.
City spokesman Jaime Hernandez said the commissioners have not discussed whether disciplinary action will be taken. "It's too early in the process now. The case is still pending right now," Hernandez told NBC 6.
