![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg09hhmZDzNUgDmf4uc6UH3uZOcUDy7cbSgWGSpg6KoPuoFLVMsgfPBfUUTt8nFUaHg0oXVNiD9mfI5jGbd-CgxcCuArvhhNkCLEmlVHQ3NLQidadurfjsv5im-35yJgyHTweQfozw196m/s1600/Rich+Chiapete.jpeg)
"Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete received municipal citations Friday night for both operating while intoxicated and hit and run.
"The accident reportedly happened at the intersection of Melvin and Main Streets in the City of Racine near Chiapete’s home.
"Chiapete released a statement apologizing for the incident Saturday morning.
“'I exercised extremely poor judgment on many levels. I did receive municipal citations for OWI and Hit & Run,' the statement reads, 'I take full responsibility for my actions. I am ashamed and embarrassed.'
"Racine Police Chief Art Howell confirmed the citations were issued.
“'We did issue citations to (Mr. Chiapete) following a property damage accident,' Howell wrote to Racine County Eye in an email.
"This is Chiapete’s first offense for both the OWI and the hit and run charges. Howell explained that when an accident does not involve other parties and does not result in any injuries, officers are given the discretion to issue citations instead of elevating the charges to a state level.
"Howell said a full press release – including his statement – is expected early Saturday afternoon.
"Here is Chiapete’s statement in full:
"I wanted to contact you with this information immediately. I did not want you to hear it from some other source. Last evening, I was involved in a single car accident near my house. I was coming home from a birthday party and had a few drinks. I did initially panic and leave the scene. I exercised extremely poor judgment on many levels. I did receive municipal citations for OWI and Hit & Run. I take full responsibility for my actions. I am ashamed and embarrassed. I apologize to my family, to the law enforcement community and to all of the citizens in our community. This should not have happened and I pledge to work hard to restore your faith in me.""We will update this story as more information becomes available."
Read more: http://racinecountyeye.com/2014/04/05/racine-county-da-cited-owi-hit-run/
Press release: http://racineuncovered.org/2014/04/elected-official-cited-for-owi/