Prominent lobbyist Ron Book, father of Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, was booked into jail on February 24 on DUI charges.
Book, 66, is charged with DUI, DUI causing property damage, and refusal to submit to a DUI test. He was held in Broward County Jail and was released on Monday after posting $1,500 bond. The press did not name an attorney for him.
The Broward State Attorney’s Office reportedly requested Gov. Ron DeSantis assign the case to another jurisdiction to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, as Book and Broward State Attorney Mike Satz are friends.
According to the arrest report, the Florida Highway Patrol was called to an accident late Sunday on Interstate 595 near Nob Hill Road. Book was reportedly involved in a crash on I-595 while driving a Lamborghini.
Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers and rescue workers reported detecting the odor of alcohol on Booker. He allegedly told an FHP trooper that another vehicle cut in front of him to the right, but the trooper noted that the damage to the Lamborghini was on the front left side.
Book reportedly failed to complete three field sobriety exercises before he was arrested on DUI charges. He refused to submit to a breathalyzer test at the Broward County DUI Center, which led to the third charge.
Book runs an influential lobbying firm and has served as a paid lobbyist for several local governments, including Miami-Dade and Broward counties; at least 20 cities; hospital districts and school boards; large Florida-based companies such as AutoNation and Ashbritt; and nonprofits such as Best Buddies International. He has also been the head of the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust for 15 years.
Records show Book has received at least half a dozen traffic citations in Broward and Miami-Dade counties over the past decade, but he has been convicted on only four: two for speeding, one for not using a turn signal, and one for failing to wear a seat belt. His fines in all four cases totaled $783.
Another DUI incident was reported in Fort Lauderdale last week. Johnathon Dujuan Thompson was arrested on DUI charges after a fatal accident that led to the death of Andy Jackson Sanford.
Thompson, 39, is charged with a DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving with a suspended license. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of a lawyer.
According to the arrest report, the crash occurred during the early hours of February 22 on I-4 near Orient Road. Thompson was eastbound when Sanford, 23, attempted to pass him on a motorcycle. It is unclear what happened next but Sanford crashed into the back of Thompson’s vehicle. He suffered serious injuries and died at Tampa General Hospital.
Thompson didn’t stop after the accident and kept on driving until he was stopped by FHP troopers, sources indicate. It is unclear how the troopers determined he was driving under the influence.
Florida DUI Attorney
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Source: 2.25.19 Influential lobbyist Ron Book arrested on DUI charges after Lamborghini crash.pdf