SALEM, Va. – Salem Mayor Randy Foley is apologizing after he was arrested and charged with public intoxication over the weekend.
A Roanoke College Campus Safety officer arrested Foley for the misdemeanor offense around 2:50 a.m. Saturday. Foley said in a statement that he was celebrating a football win for his alma mater, the University of Virginia, when he decided to walk home through the Roanoke College campus instead of driving.
Foley added, "I deeply regret my decisions that evening."
Foley was elected to Salem City Council in May of 2006 and appointed mayor on July 1, 2008.
Citing a desire to not distract from city business, Foley excused himself from Monday night’s city council meeting.
Here is the statement from Foley:
“After an evening at a friend’s house celebrating my alma mater’s football win and other events, I realized that I should not drive home from the gathering. I chose to walk home and take the shortest route, which goes right through the Roanoke College campus. While walking through the campus, I encountered a Roanoke College security officer who was doing his job. I deeply regret my decisions that evening and profusely apologize to my family, friends, City Council colleagues and the citizens of Salem.”
Here is the statement from City Manager Kevin Boggess:
“Obviously, I was both surprised and disappointed when I was advised on his arrest. The Mayor has apologized to me and the other members of Council and he has expressed his regret for putting his family and the citizens of Salem in this embarrassing position. Randy has been a tremendous Council member and Mayor and we hope we can move forward as soon as possible.”