New Brighton mayor pleads guilty to DUI, apologizes to city

NEW BRIGHTON, Minn. (FOX 9) - The mayor of New Brighton, Minnesota was arrested Saturday night for drunk driving. 

Valerie Johnson, 60, pled guilty to the charge of driving under the influence. She apologized to the city at a city council meeting Tuesday night. 

In a statement she read to the city council, Johnson said she was arrested with a blood alcohol content of 0.17, more than twice the legal limit in Minnesota. 

“There is no question that I was reckless and made a significant error in judgement that night, potentially risking the safety of others and myself,” she said. 

Johnson said she is disappointed in her own behavior and is “ready to accept the consequences” of her actions.