WASCO, Calif. (KERO) — H.A. Sala, the lawyer for City of Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia, held a press conference at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday to discuss the status of Garcia’s driving-under-the-influence case, according to a press release.
“After an investigation into the case and in particular discussions with the Kern County District Attorney’s Office," said Sala. "And these were supervisors with the district attorney’s office. It was determined that the appropriate disposition was not to charge of driving under the influence of alcohol nor was it appropriate that there was a charge of driving with a .08% or higher of [blood] alcohol.”
Garcia entered a no contest plea July 26 in Kern County Superior Court to a charge of reckless driving in connection with some alcohol consumption, which is a lesser charge than DUI. The charge of DUI was dropped.
"The charge of driving under the influence was dismissed in its entirety. There was a determination by the court after a stipulated trial that Mr. Garcia was not driving with a .08% or higher alcohol in his system.” There is a less charge that we refer it is a ‘wet reckless.’ And that is a charge of reckless driving involving some consumption of alcohol.”
Garcia was placed on informal probation for one year and paid a fine of $1,220, according to Sala.
At the successful conclusion of the probation, the no contest plea will be withdrawn and the charge will be dismissed, according to the press release.
Garcia's future as the mayor of Wasco will be topping the agenda at the city council's meeting on Tuesday. Garcia was cited for an alleged DUI in May.
Some members of the council say that his citation is a distraction from city business. They say he should step down as mayor but not from the city council.
The meeting will be held Tuesday night at 6 p.m.
