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California State Sen. Ben Hueso Formally Charged With Driving Under The Influence

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Sacramento County prosecutors have filed two charges of drunken driving against Sen. Ben Hueso, a San Diego Democrat who was arrested in Sacramento last month.

Hueso, 44, faces two misdemeanor counts in the charges that were made public Monday: driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher.

Hueso was arrested at 2:39 a.m. on Aug. 22 after a California Highway Patrol officer spotted him driving the wrong way on a downtown Sacramento street. Earlier that night, Hueso and other lawmakers were photographed drinking in the Capitol after a dinner for the Latino Legislative caucus.

The end of the legislative session, when lawmakers pass hundreds of bills, typically is a festive time after hours, with parties and fundraisers at bars and restaurants.

A photograph posted to Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez's Twitter account late the night before Hueso's arrest bore the message, "Yes ... Loving my Latino Caucus boys." It showed Hueso and four other lawmakers, several with drinks in their hands, hamming it up inside the state Capitol.

Gonzalez's tweet later was deleted and Gonzalez declined to discuss it.

Hueso was released from jail on $1,500 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Sept. 18.

Hueso told reporters when he left the jail, "I'm going to pursue my innocence." However, his office quickly issued a statement saying he accepted responsibility for his arrest and would accept any punishment he receives.

His spokeswoman and chief of staff did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.

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