Gordon Apologizes, Admits Being Alcoholic
Rep. Dan Gordon spoke to reporters at a press conference held Wednesday morning in Portsmouth.
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State Rep. Dan Gordon admitted to being an alcoholic and refused to relinquish his public office unless there is "public outcry," during a Wednesday morning press conference in Portsmouth.
Gordon, 42, of 35 Alan Ave., Portsmouth, was arrested on Friday, Sept. 16, as a fugitive from justice on a Massachusetts warrant for failure to appear on an eluding charge and other motor vehicle violations, according to the State Police report.
The freshman representative began Wednesday with an apology to his constituents.
"To my constituents, the voters of District 71, I apologize for any embarrassment I might have caused you with what has been in the media regarding my past," he said.
The representative refused to step down from office, also promising to "run again."
Gordon, as stated Tuesday at his home, spoke again about "self-medicating with alcohol." He claims the "self-medicating" was to treat post-traumatic stress from wartime service.
Gordon, a Marine Corps veteran, told reporters Wednesday he was wounded in his right leg by exploding shrapnel during a tour in Iraq in 1991. He was positioned eight miles south of Baghdad at the time of the injury, he said.
Gordon also admitted to being charged in Massachusetts with operating under the influence (OUI) of alcohol, but said he did not remember when the arrest took place.
When asked by a reporter if he felt he had an obligation to the voters to disclose his criminal past, Gordon said, "It's all about optics. Quite frankly, if we talk numbers to constituents, it's all about optics. No one would win office with a placard around their neck."
Gordon said again he was "unaware" of the outstanding warrant, and he claimed there is nothing else the public does not know about. "I think it's pretty much an open book now," he said. "It's all out there."
Robert E
2:14 pm on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
I love that he gave a press conference in front of a bar. Did he take the reporters out for a beer after the conference.
Patriot
2:23 pm on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Very strange choice of venue indeed.
Good luck in your recovery and I truly hope it leads to some clarity and better judgement for you.
J. Lane McMahon
2:50 pm on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
He states that there has only been one negative phone call from his constituents...Well, that is probably because he would not answer his phone. I suggest that all who want him to step down, call him now!
Jimmy
3:10 pm on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
I agree
paul
3:06 pm on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
He is in denial. Every politician that ever got in trouble says the same thing, I'm not resigning. As a 6 year US Navy vet I feel sorry for Mr. Gordon but he should step down for the good of the people.
M. P.
3:49 pm on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
What constitutes a public outcry? Individuals have asked him to resign, his own party asked him to resign... what more does he need? I don't care what excuses he wants to give for his horrible behavior, the man is not representive of the people he claims to serve. The majority of District 71 want him gone. His "alcoholism" or "PTSD" are not the problem - HE is the problem!
J. Lane McMahon
3:53 pm on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Please note: This information was taken from Rep. Gordon own webpage. It is public information. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Gordon/Biography.html
CONTACT INFORMATION:
35 Alan Ave
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 252-9882
I implore all of his constituents to call and let him know what you think.
As a note to Mr. Gordon, Do you really think that those 47 people that gave you the election, would have voted for you knowing all of this?
Stuart
4:34 pm on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopathy
Psychopathy is a mental disorder characterized primarily by a lack of empathy and remorse, shallow emotions, egocentricity, and deceptiveness. Psychopaths are highly prone to antisocial behavior and abusive treatment of others, and are very disproportionately responsible for violent crime. Though lacking empathy and emotional depth, they often manage to pass themselves off as normal people by feigning emotions and lying about their pasts.
----end of wikipedia definition------
Please, folks, read the parts about violent crime, deception, lying, abuse of others and passing oneself off as a normal person.
I would not suggest for anyone to approach this man or call him out for his actions. Let the other pols and the police handle it.
For Mr. Gordon, I would suggest getting immediate help, although such people are unlikely to ever seek it. Hopefully the judge or other authority will make it happen.
getreal
4:40 pm on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Granted you only have been in town for 3 years but, if you truely care about this town you need to step down now. I do wish you luck with getting help.