The man who appears in line to be the next chairman of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission says he wants no “special treatment” and will plead guilty to drunken driving.
Jeff Lamberti was charged with “operating while intoxicated” in mid-May and Des Moines police say his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. Lamberti will make a court appearance on the charge and enter a guilty plea.
“I believe it will be at the end of the month and hopefully it will be done and move on,” Lamberti said this morning.
The mandatory sentence for a first offense of “operating while intoxicated” is two days in jail and a fine of $1250. Those found guilty of drunken driving for the first time have their license to drive revoked for 180 days.
“I’m going to do whatever is typical,” Lamberti said, “because we’ve already told them we want no special treatment. We’re going to take whatever it is and move on.”
Lamberti, a former state legislator, is currently a member of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. He was the commission’s acting chairman during its meeting this morning. The commission will choose a new chairman on July 12.
“It really isn’t on the agenda to deal with any of those issues ’til the next meeting,” Lamberti said, “so it’ll be up to the commission.”
Three weeks ago Governor Terry Branstad told reporters it’s up to members of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to decide whether Lamberti should serve as the commission’s chairman. Branstad talked privately with Lamberti.
“He said I had his support,” Lamberti said of the conversation.
Lamberti told reporters this morning that Branstad had urged him to stay on the commission. Lamberti, who is a lawyer, is president of the Iowa Barnstormers. He also has led the effort to save the USS Iowa battleship from the salvage yard. His father started Casey’s General Stores.