Gorham official keeps seat after OUI conviction

GORHAM (AP) — The Gorham Town Council has ruled that one of its members convicted last month of drunken driving will not have to give up her seat.

Tuesday's meeting was the first since 36-year-old Suzanne Phillip pleaded guilty on Sept. 21 to operating under the influence. Prosecutors dropped a charge of leaving the scene of an accident.

The town charter requires councilors to vacate their posts if they're convicted of crimes of "moral turpitude," which isn't defined.

The Portland Press Herald reported that Phillips made a statement Tuesday that she wanted "to reassure people that this has not and will not affect my decisions as a councilor" and she is "truly sorry for what happened."

Phillips was arrested at about 1 a.m. on May 4 after allegedly hitting two parked cars and driving away.

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