Newly Named Hollywood City Manager Charged With DUI
HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) -- Doug Hewett, named new Hollywood City Manager less than three months ago, has found himself in trouble with the law.
Hewett was arrested for suspicion of DUI on Easter Sunday, April 8th, in North Miami.
Hewett gave two breath samples at the police station which showed his blood-alcohol content levels were .145 and .139, well above Florida's legal limit of .08.
"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 Friday. "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."
Hewett, 41, began as city manager Feb. 27th. He earns $172,000 a year.
Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober said he's concerned about the arrest.
"It's terribly disappointing," Mayor Bober said. "Any time an employer puts its' faith in someone and does a background check, does everything that you're supposed to do and to hear this kind of information early on was very disappointing to myself and i'm sure other members of the city commission."
Bober also said that Hewitt's DUI arrest means that Hewett will now be under a microscope.
"His judgement has been seriously called into question and really he has no track record here in the city of Hollywood so we certainly have to watch him very carefully to see if this is not part of some bigger issue," Bober said.
Bober said city commissioners will likely discuss Hewett's arrest at an upcoming city meeting. He added that commissioners could decide to lower Hewett's salary or change the terms of his contract.
