WASHINGTON — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has asked Charles Caldwell, the head of the Prince George’s County liquor license commission, to resign his position following his arrest for drunken driving last week, a spokeswoman for the governor told WTOP.
Caldwell agreed to step down from his role as chairman of the Board of License Commissioners, Hogan spokesman Shareese DeLeaver-Churchill told WTOP in an email Tuesday evening.
The spokeswoman said Hogan did not have the authority to remove Caldwell from the board.
“However, the governor is very concerned and disappointed in this situation and has asked Mr. Caldwell to step down from his role as chairman, which he has agreed to do,” DeLeaver-Churchill said in the statement. “Ultimately, there is a legal process that will play out in the near term and our office will be monitoring that process very closely.”
Caldwell was arrested Dec. 8 at about 11:40 p.m. after a minor traffic accident near the MGM National Harbor on the casino’s opening night and charged with driving under the influence.
Prince George’s County police officers said Caldwell smelled strongly of alcohol and slurred his speech, according to a police report. Caldwell refused a breathalyzer and was unsteady on his feet during a field sobriety test, police said.
During his arrest Caldwell repeatedly referenced his position as liquor board chairman and asked officers if they could “make this go away,” according to a police report.
In interviews with local media, Caldwell has disputed that he refused to take a breathalyzer test and blamed his unsteadiness on his age.
Hogan appointed Caldwell in March 2015.
Hogan’s spokeswoman said the board’s vice chairman, Shaihi Mwalimu, will serve as interim head of the board.
