WASHINGTON — Representative Trey Radel (R-Fla.) pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine in D.C. Superior Court on Wednesday morning, admitting he had purchased the drug as a booster to keep him going during long hours of attempting to derail President Obama’s legislation.
“I am so sorry to be here,” Radel said Wednesday. “I have let my constituents, my country and my family down. I want to come out of this stronger and I intend to do that, to be a better man, a better husband and continue blocking this administration’s agenda.”
According to authorities, on the evening of October 29, Radel and an acquaintance met an undercover officer who sold the pair 3.5 grams of cocaine. The congressman was arrested in his D.C. apartment later that evening.
“Obamacare is horrible, and I found myself desperate for an extra boost,” Radel admitted in a statement released today. “Obviously I never would have turned to drugs had it not been for the way this legislation is destroying the very fabric of our great nation.”
Radel, a freshman elected to Congress in 2012 with Tea Party support, had previously voted for mandatory drug testing of food stamp applicants. Radel further blamed his drug use on his alcoholism, which he claimed was exacerbated by the White House’s domestic agenda. Though he faced a maximum of 180 days in jail, as well as a fine of up to $1,000, the 37-year-old Radel was instead sentenced to a year of probation. Radel deflected accusations that the lenient verdict was due to his status as an elected official.
“It is clear that the judge understood the stress that I, and indeed the whole country feels under Obamacare,” Radel said. “That is why I received a soft sentence. People who are struggling under socialized medicine should not be treated too harshly for their mistakes.”
The Florida representative made no mention of resigning, but instead implied that he would return to the House after seeking treatment for his substance abuse problems, saying, “Once qualified medical professionals have guided me through my addiction, I promise my constituents that I shall return to the House to continue the fight against policies that would allow them to get the same help.”
31 comments
an 8 ball is more than just a “boost”!!! LMFAO!
So since he and his party were not able to make sure that 30 million Americans could not gain access to affordable health care he turned to cocaine. What a load of crap!!!!!
isn’t that entrapment?? since when is it OK for cops to sell drugs??
There’s that conservative commitment to personal responsibility!
Says the guy who listed his favorite vacation spot as Cartagena, Columbia … back in March… sounds like he’d already picked up quite a habit in Florida and had to go to Columbia to get the Pure stuff… This guy is just a lying hypocrite like most of the GOP, caring only about themselves and not having empathy to care about anyone but…
“Obviously I never would have turned to drugs had it not been for the for the way this legislation is destroying the very fabric of our once great nation.” He actually said that? WAH!!
What a bunch of political crap! He should be forced to resign! A total scum bag!!
Are you kidding me. Just proves he’s still on drugs. Throw his ass in jail.
Betcha if I was caught with cocaine, I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN 180 DAYS IN JAIL AND THAT $1000 FINE!!! Why do our lawmakers think that they are above the law?
You should Identify yourself as a satire site in your heading.
Fuck head
Red Bull
This idiot is such a hypocrite it’s incredible. Did secret agents from the Mooslim Obama army come and force you to go out looking for an 8-ball of cocaine? No idiot – you did…probably laughing the whole time how you pushed a bill to have people on food stamps tested and if dirty of something as simple as pot they lose their source of food. Snort another few lines and then laugh because you are a politician which should be held to a MUCH higher standard and after doing COCAINE should be out of a job.
What an a$$bag.
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What a bunch of BS – having been a drug user many-many years ago-I can tell you from experience that alcohol does make you turn to Coke-you do Coke because you like getting high and the temporary burst of energy it gives you-Geez didn’t the people around him notice him sniffling all the time lol
His reelection campaign should be fun when they bring in his drug arrest although if Mark Sanford and David Vitter can get reelected after their scandals anything is possible. I’d love him on a polygraphs though to see if Obamacare was the real reason for his Coke “addiction”
Do you guys not realize this is a satirical website? He never blamed Obama or Obamacare for his cocaine problem. The quote was made up. You guys are almost as pathetic as the people who think the Onion is real news. (I say almost because there are some actual facts in this story.)
So those struggling under socialized medicine (and resorting to drug use) shouldn’t be treated harshly?? Like maybe not undergoing drug testing before they get their food stamps?? What a hypocrite and what a “glass bowl”!
Although this is satire, it’s not too far from the truth when comes republicans blaming Obama and his “liberal” agenda for everything they believe is wrong. And of course the habit of a lot politicians not accepting personal responsibility for their behavior.
So does he think EVERYBODY needs a soft sentence, since his party believes EVERYBODY is suffering under Obamacare?
Republicans going soft on crime?
Btw, has he never heard of 5 Hour Energy? Costs less, perfectly legal.
So you decide you need a little pick me up and by an 8 ball???I’ll believe that when fucking pigs fly drones you lying bastard
MASS SUCIDE IS WHAT HAPPENED ..WHEN WE PUT YOU ON OUR STATION…PEOPLE LITERALLY QUIT BUING ANY ADVERTISEMENTS IN YOUR TIME BLOCK??
Damned Obama, another good man down the drain just so he can prove ObamaCare works.
Oh Sorry ..This One For You Limbaugh..
What a sad little man full of shit
So much for no excuses.
No shame
LOL!
Oh, and way to take responsibility for your actions! He is not in jail because of his position and the size of his bank account. The “justice” system is a crock…
You can’t believe anything an addict says. Any good drug counselor would tell you that…what a discrace. He should be booted out of office.