News - Local/State

Thursday, Jul. 24, 2008

Councilman's driving record shows series of violations

Paul Lindemann's arrest last week on drunken-driving charges marked the ninth time he has been cited for traffic violations in the past decade, according to state records obtained by The Herald.

Lindemann has convictions dating back to 1999 for DUI, careless or negligent driving, failure to yield and three speeding tickets, Department of Motor Vehicles records show.

The first-term York County Councilman defended his driving record, saying he has been less fortunate than other drivers who don't get caught.

"I'd rate myself an 'A' driver," he said. "My insurance is as low as it can get. If my insurance thinks I'm a good driver, by God, I'm a good driver."

The most recent stop came July 16 in Columbia. Police reports state Lindemann, 29, was "highly intoxicated" when officers stopped him near Palmetto Health Richland Hospital.

He was cited for driving under the influence and for refusing to take a breathalyzer test. That refusal resulted in the immediate six-month suspension of his driver's license, records show.

It was the third time Lindemann has been charged with driving under the influence since 1998, according to records obtained through the state Freedom of Information Act.

The other two cases were in 1998, when Lindemann was 19, and in 2000. After the 2000 charge, Lindemann completed an alcohol and drug safety action program, records show.

In September 2007, a judge suspended Lindemann's license after he failed to pay a speeding ticket issued three months earlier. In November 2007, Lindemann was pulled over and ticketed for driving under suspension. The suspension ended on June 13 of this year.

Lindemann said the suspension issue arose because a dealer tag had flown off the back of his car in Tega Cay. During that time, Lindemann owned a used car dealership at the corner of Gold Hill Road and S.C. 160.

"It was because my tag had flew off and I didn't have a tag on there," he said. "They pulled me for failure to have a tag."

As for why he didn't pay the ticket on time, Lindemann said he was out of town the day he was due in court. He said it was a simple oversight.

The records obtained by The Herald date back to 1999, when Lindemann was ticketed for failing to yield right of way after an accident.

In light of the DUI charge last week, York County Republicans are calling on Lindemann to resign his District 1 seat. Lindemann vows to continue serving, saying he has the support of his family and friends.