Herzog: 'It's Not Going to Happen Again'

Peter Herzog says he is embarrassed.

Says he is sorry.

Says he is moving forward.

In his 19th year on the City Council of Lake Forest, when Herzog sits at the dais Tuesday night at City Hall, it will be the first time since pleading no contest last week to a charge of driving while being legally drunk.

It was a major misstep for the six-time mayor, who has poured 33 percent of his lifetime into civic service for his community.

“Obviously, it’s embarrassing,” Herzog said Monday night. “It’s something you shouldn’t do, period.”

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Herzog, 57, pleaded no contest a week ago to driving with a blood alcohol level above 0.08 on Nov 17, 2012. He was accused by prosecutors of missing turns, hitting curbs and swerving on the road; his erratic driving on the way home from a wedding reception was reported by other motorists, and according to the district attorney’s office, more than two hours after he got out of his 2003 Acura TL, he had a blood alcohol content of 0.18—more than twice the legal limit of 0.08.

In the months since, the 30-year resident of Lake Forest said he has heard from many people, and “most are very supportive and understanding.”

“A lot of people say they’re disappointed, but they understand,” said Herzog, an attorney by trade.  “We all make mistakes in life and it’s how you respond to the mistakes in life that counts. I’ve never professed to be perfect, and I don’t think anybody is.”

Will this ever happen again?

“No,” he says. “This is a unique situation. It’s not going to happen again.”

Do you have a drinking problem?

“No.”

Herzog was sentenced to a three-month first offender program; even though he was sentenced a week ago—along with three years’ probation and $390 in fines—to his credit he will complete the offender program this week. He found it enlightening and would “recommend it to anybody” because of the wide-ranging information. His major takeaway was “pay attention to what you’re doing and take responsibility.”

"When you make a mistake, as I have done, you face up to it, without excuses, do what is necessary to address it, and move on in a positive fashion. I would like to thank my friends, family and all the people who have sent me kind words of support these past months. I have done everything possible to make amends for my error and, in moving forward, I will strive to be a force for good in this community and will continue to provide the people of Lake Forest the same dedication and thoughtful representation as I have for the past 18 years. I hope many learn from my mistake and, to those I have disappointed, while I do not ask you to forgive me, I hope you can see how I have worked to take full responsibility and accountability for my actions."

—Peter Herzog's public statement after no contest plea

The latter was important to him, which is why he began his penance—the three-month course—before he was even sentenced.

 “I didn’t wait for the court to tell me, I found out myself and then did it,” he said. “I investigated the process and got into the process.

“I made a mistake. Hopefully people will learn from it.”

Being a public official, some have called his arrest a disgrace. Herzog hopes to turn the notoriety into a positive.

“It should be used as a learning experience as something to avoid,” he said. “This is obviously something you don’t want to do. I don’t recommend this to anybody—friend or enemy.”

Herzog, married for more than 35 years with adult children 27 and 24, says he has no intention of resigning, and will make a determination about reelection in 2014 in the months leading up to the ballot—just as he has always done.

But for now, he will continue to focus on a city in transition, with more than 4,000 homes being added and a sports park being built.

There have been plenty of victories—Herzog helped defeat the El Toro Airport and gain toll roads to ease traffic—and now he wants to make the most of this public setback. 

“I’ve made a mistake and faced up to it,” Herzog said. “I’m moving on and trying to move the city forward in a positive fashion as I have been for the past 18 years.

“When someone makes a mistake, it doesn’t mean everything stops.”

TELL US IN THE COMMENTS: In what way has this event changed the way you think about Peter Herzog?