Front Page  »  

Anti-gay state senator arrested after leaving gay bar

March 6, 2010

Controversy continues to dog conservative firebrand and state Senator Roy Ashburn following his DUI arrest earlier this week.

California Highway Patrol officers arrested Ashburn for allegedly driving drunk after leaving a Sacramento gay nightclub with another man in his car. His blood alcohol level was .14 when he was arrested.

The owner of Faces, the club where Ashburn was hanging out prior to his arrest, told CBS 13 he was unsure if Ashburn was there on Tuesday night because the club was packed with 400 patrons who had come to enjoy a Latin drag queen beauty pageant. [CBS13]

The father of four and Republican state senator representing parts of Kern, Tulare and San Bernardino counties has a long history of opposing gay rights. The senator has voted against every gay rights measure, according to Project Vote Smart.

“I am deeply sorry for my actions and offer no excuse for my poor judgment,” Ashburn said in a statement he released Wednesday morning. “I accept complete responsibility for my conduct and am prepared to accept the consequences for what I did. I am also truly sorry for the impact this incident will have on those who support and trust me – my family, my constituents, my friends, and my colleagues in the Senate.”

Ashburn, along with San Luis Obispo County Assessor Tom Bordonaro, their wives, and Sherry Leonard, the wife of Board of Equalization member Bill Leonard, sit on the board of a controversial nonprofit they founded in 2005. The Pacific Policy Research Foundation solicits donations from big industry and union lobbyists that it uses to pay for a yearly Hawaiian trip the group sponsors for state politicians and lobbyists.

Ashburn was booked into Sacramento Jail and released on $1,400 bail. He continues to be on personal leave through Sunday.


Loading...
Subjects:                         
Related:


23 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Well i guess it must be true. If you can’t beat them join them.


0

Well with what is happening around New York this week with Rangel and others and this, goes to show corruption is on both sides of the aisle.


0

Ushers at the Vatican ,a“Gentleman of His Holiness” these ushers work both sides of the aisle;-D


0

This story is not about corruption and bringing in the other aisle is irrelevant. Like Larry Craig (another right wing homophobe in the US Senate who was caught soliciting men in an airport restroom-and admitted it!) this guy joins the dozens of other republicans and bible thumpers caught in compromising situations of the sort they rail against constantly. He has done evil to some of our citizens and then it seems he is one of them! I could care less about any gay association, its the hypocrisy that galls the senses. How these pasty slimebuckets get any votes is beyond me.


0

You wanted to go on a let’s bash the right spree. I was just answering with keeping it in prespective. Obviously you are relishing in the fact that it is the right or am I wrong?


0

BeenThereDoneThat did you not read all of hotdog’s post it’s not about right or left it’s

about HYPOCRISY !


0

asthecrowphlies, did you not read hotdog’s post?

“this guy joins the dozens of other republicans and bible thumpers caught in compromising situations”.

I like to take shot’s at the right to, but lets not condescend BTDT, he had his point.


0

yes cindy your correct it’s all about hypocrisy


0

You are right :)


0

BTDT, you are correct but it’s true that the right are constantly caught in these situations, where they don’t practice the morals that they preach and it is absolutely nauseating that they are such GROSS hypocrites. I am constantly reminded of what they did to Clinton over a little natural indiscretion in the Oval office, I’d like to wring their beaddy eyed, whimpy necks, every one of them. Yes, the ‘right’ can really irritate the day lights out of me.


0

Wow. Natural indiscretion?? Is that what cheating on one’s spouse is?? No wonder divorce is so high. :-)


0

I wish this forum had a spell-checker. It would at least make the “arguments” appear more convincing.


0

Spell check is a feature found on most all modern web browsers like firefox or chrome and others, works everywhere.


0

Simply add the phrase republican family values to a search box, and you may learn more about raising mules and farming than you ever wanted to know.


0

Kudos go to zaphod, for affirming ridiculous ideological stereotypes for lack of substance.


Wonders never cease…


0

Another right wing hypocrite caught with his pants down. Seems like they are thicker than flies in the Repo party. I wonder why he is such a homophobe, yet is…..

I’ll bet he has used the bible for personal gain as well.


0

And what about our little Tommy Bordo, what sort of nastiness might he have been up to all these years?


0

Hypocrites come in all forms, hotdog, including ideologies and political parties. To lump everyone in a group as guilty for the acts of one man is stupid.


And who are you to begin indicting his colleague? If you were Mr. Bordonaro, should you likewise be guilty by association?


I’m really annoyed by this armchair conjecture crap. If you have facts, state them. Otherwise, pretend to have a little class and keep the trash talking it to yourself.


0

hotdog, I heard Roy was at the club just doing his research, LOL!


0

I hope Karen will investigate the Pacific Policy Research Foundation and let us know what those stinkers are up to.

Anybody up for a tax exempt free junket over to Hawaii? Must be nice to be so privileged.


0

OMG !!!


I googled the story and also found link to a news telecast on YouTube.


Ashburn wasnt driving his own car. He was actually in his state provided senator veh (the one you and I taxpayers have provided). Can you imagine if he smacked someone … what the liability to the State would have been.


Is there more to his business relationship with Bordonaro? Inquiring minds want to know.


0

“The Pacific Policy Research Foundation solicits donations form big industry and union lobbyist that it uses to pay for a yearly Hawaiian trip the group sponsors for state politicians and lobbyists.”


and the politicians are keeping check’s and balances on the politicians, where does it all end? It’s time for a complete overhaul. Bring on the alternative party.


0

If he was required to post a $1,400. bail, this might not be his first DUI. Generally a first DUI requires no bail and the offender is immediately released to a responsible/sober party.

One has to wonder why he was treated differently? Unless the arresting officer was gay (just kidding)!!


0