An Arizona state lawmaker is facing criticism after bragging about speeding to a cop during a traffic stop.
State Rep. Paul Mosley was stopped for driving 97 mph in a 55 mph zone by a La Paz County sheriff’s deputy on March 27.
“Well, I was doing 120 earlier,” he says in the bodycam footage published by ParkerLive. “Yeah, this goes 140. That’s what I like about it. … Yeah, I go 130, 140, 120. Yeah, I come down I-10, I was going 120 almost, you know, if there was no traffic.”
When the deputy asks why he drives that fast, he responds, in part, “I’m trying to surprise my wife.”
“I don’t break the law because I can, but because I, you know, I’m just trying to get home,” Mosley also says in the video.
To add to the controversy, “the deputy said in a report later that the driver claimed to have legislative immunity,” reports CBS News.
But the legislative immunity reportedly doesn’t apply to this scenario.
“While the state constitution does provide for certain kinds of legislative immunity, it’s generally intended for actions related to legislative acts,” KTAR notes. “And a document from November 2002 shared by the House Rules Committee says speeding tickets – as well as violations for driving under the influence – aren’t covered.”
Mosley was not given a ticket. However, the incident is under review by the Cochise County Attorney’s Office.
Amid criticism, Mosley took to Facebook and apologized.
“My desire to get home to see my family does not justify how fast I was speeding nor my reference to legislative immunity when being pulled over. Legislative immunity is a serious responsibility and should not be taken lightly or abused,” he stated.
“In addition, my jokes about frequently driving over 100 miles per hour during my 3-hour commute to and from the capitol were entirely inappropriate and showed extremely bad judgment on my part, for which I am truly sorry,” Mosley added. “I have no excuse for any of this, only regret of my actions, a hope for forgiveness and a commitment that it will not happen again.”
I’d like to see you blowout a tire 140mph, you crooked S.O.B.
I hope you kiss a tree at that speed.
How’s it feel buddy to be treated like one of us. No, actually you got off real easy. Wonder why you weren’t tazed and abused.
Fk you and your ugly ass wife.
Waterboard his ass!
After all! It’s not torture!!