The Associated Press
ORTING — Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn was arrested over the weekend for investigation of driving under the influence, his office confirmed today.
Randy Dorn, who has not been formally charged, was stopped by Orting police around 1:30 a.m. Sunday near Orting High School.
Dorn said in a two-paragraph statement that he and his family were attending a community event Saturday night where he drank beer with dinner. He was stopped by police on the way home.
“The public has a right to information regarding the conduct of elected officials. However, I hope people will understand and respect that this is a personal legal matter that at this time I am not at liberty to discuss,” Dorn said in the statement. “I look forward to the day when I will be able to discuss the details of this incident.”
Dorn spokesman Nathan Olsen said he could not comment further on the matter.
Police cited Dorn for an alleged DUI, said Orting Police Chief Bill Drake. He wasn’t booked into Pierce County Jail, according to booking records.
Drake said he wouldn’t release any more information yet because it was a pending investigation and the city prosecutor has not decided whether to press charges.
Dorn was elected in 2008 to a four-year term leading Washington’s K-12 school system, unseating three-term incumbent Terry Bergeson. Dorn was executive of the Public School Employees of Washington union from 1999 until taking his new job. Earlier in his career, he served seven years in the state House, and worked as a teacher and principal in Eatonville and other districts.
