AUSTIN- District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg is issuing another apology from jail, this time with a letter on her website.
Police arrested Lehmberg on April 12 for driving while intoxicated after a witness spotted her driving erratically on FM 620 near RM 2222.
She's currently serving a 45 day sentence in Travis County Jail and sent word of the letter through her Facebook page.
It reads:
To the citizens of Travis County:
I understand many have commented both in support of and against my returning to office. I would like to speak for myself and this is the only form ofcommunication available to me at this time.
I apologize to all of you. There can be no anger directed at me or disappointment in me greater than my own. And, I neither believe nor expect that anywords written or speech given can possibly convey the magnitude of the shame I feel for breaking the law and therefore, the trust with the people I serveand the community I love.
My sincere apologies to the arresting officers and to the entire law enforcement community with whom I have worked side-by-side for 37 years and forwhom I have always had great respect. After my arrest, I failed to act properly and I failed to show the respect that those law enforcement professionalsdeserve. For my misbehavior and disrespect toward them, I am truly sorry. I appreciate greatly their patience, civility, and professionalism.
I also owe an apology to the staff at the Travis County Jail. Their jobs are always difficult, and some of my behavior that night made their jobs even moredifficult. And, while I have received no special treatment while in jail, I have been treated with respect and courtesy.
My apologies to those who have supported me in the past and through this very difficult time. I have been fortunate to have the backing of both Republicansand Democrats. There is no room for partisanship in the District Attorney s office.
And, most of all, my apologies to this community. My life, like yours, is full of victories and defeats, highs and lows, joy and sadness, shining moments andstunning mistakes. I think you know where this moment lies.
Last, my sincere apologies to the staff of the District Attorney s office. I know this experience has created anxiety and concern, but I also know them to bededicated public servants who consistently put their own needs aside to serve the greater good.
It was both my choice and responsibility to plead guilty and to accept the punishment meted out by the court before I took any other action. To dootherwise never occurred to me.
There are three things I want you to know.
First and foremost, I take the offense of driving while intoxicated seriously.
There are hundreds of reasons that lead up to a single event in our lives but no excuse for driving while intoxicated.
Secondly, upon my release, I will continue to seek professional help and guidance.
I know that I need help understanding and treating the cause of this behavior. For that reason, I am making arrangements for further professionalassessments and pledge to follow all recommended treatment as soon as I have served my jail term.
And, third, I must deal with the civil issues facing me.
Some of that situation is out of my hands. But I can assure you I will address the issues in a forthright and honest manner.
As others have stated, I have never planned to seek a third term and will not. It is my hope to complete my term in office to complete the work we (mydedicated professional staff and I) started four years ago. I am proud of the work we have done from this office over the last 37 years and I hope to have theopportunity to continue that service.
I offer my deepest regret and most sincere apology and seek forgiveness from the people of Travis County.
Sincerely,
Rosemary Lehmberg
