Former South Florida Democratic Congressman Tim Mahoney faces a DUI charge after Palm Beach Gardens cops found him sleeping one off in his car early Saturday morning.
As you may remember, Mahoney had a tough time with purported sex scandals during the single two-year term he held office.
Mahoney was elected to the seat in 2006 after his original opponent, former Rep. Mark Foley, resigned after a bit of a sex scandal of his own involving a teenaged congressional page.
Mahoney defeated the ad hoc Republican candidate that year after ABC News reported he had allegedly paid $121,903 in hush money to a former mistress who was threatening to sue him.
After facing media members, Mahoney revealed he engaged in "multiple affairs" while he was in office, although he didn't quantify his indiscretions. He admitted to one with campaign staffer Patricia Allen -- who was the subject of the alleged hush money -- as well as one with "a high-ranking Martin County government employee."
Mahoney was steamrolled by Rep. Tom Rooney in the 2008 election, facing the largest incumbent defeat in the nation.
After being awarded New Times' "Best 15 Minutes of Fame" in 2009, we'll say the DUI charge gives him his 16th minute of fame -- none of which he likely wanted.
Mahoney was booked into the Palm Beach County jail shortly after 7 a.m. Saturday but was released on his own recognizance at 11:15 a.m., according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Police have not released what Mahoney's blood-alcohol content was at the time of his arrest, and Florida statute says a person can be charged with a DUI if they're driving or "in actual physical control of a vehicle within this state."
If convicted, Mahoney could face up to six months in jail and pay a maximum fine of $1,000.
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