By Brian Cox, Special to the Tribune | The lawyer for a Walgreen Co. executive charged with DUI for the second time in 13 months said today he’s sure his client will be cleared.
Christopher Cronson, attorney for Walgreen Co. Chief Financial Officer Wade Miquelon, also said Miquelon didn’t realize his driver’s license was still under suspension when he was pulled over in Kenilworth on Sept. 25.
According to police and court records, Miquelon refused to take a Breathalyzer test and failed field sobriety tests when he was pulled over by Kenilworth police.
Miquelon, in a suit and tie, didn’t speak during a brief hearing this afternoon in the Skokie branch of Cook County Circuit Court and declined comment after the hearing. His attorney filed a motion for discovery.
“We are looking forward to having our day in court. I’m sure he will be exonerated,” Cronson said, asserting there’s not enough evidence to convict Miquelon of DUI.
Cronson called it a mere oversight that Miquelon was driving with a suspended license at the time of his arrest. Cronson said Miquelon’s license suspension from an earlier DUI expired in May, so Miquelon thought he was driving legally but didn’t realize he still had to pay a $250 reinstatement fee.
The suspended license was the result of a September 2009 traffic stop in Glencoe, in which Miquelon was cited for DUI, speeding, improper lane usage and having alcohol in his system, records show. He got a year of supervision and was fined $1,150.
Miquelon’s next court date was set for Nov. 30.
Uh… here, let me open my wallet and make this go away.
Dude,
If it doesn’t work out, you can always work at Tribune. You’d fit right in & you have just the type of background that’s valued there.
How stupid does this attorney think we are? How do you not know for four months that your license is suspended? And his track record speaks for itself….
Strike one, strike two, strike three pay the money get out of jail free. Ever wonder why you pay more at Walgreens. This is the answer. This man has a drinking and driving problem. But he has lots of money. Ask his lawyer. He will be exonerated cause his lawyer said so.
Mr. Oldy22, I’m sure Mr. Miquelon is quite relieved that he is a man of means and you are not his court appointed attorney.
I used to work at the Walgreens corporate office and it was a good company to work for at the time. High personal standards and many nice people. One person’s problem should not reflect on the entire company.
Miquelon didn’t realize his driver’s license was still under suspension when he was pulled over
Are you serious? You didn’t realize or you were so drunk you forgot?
Please, the CFO of a 63.3 billion company has no clue that his license is suspended? NFW – This can’t be true.
Sure he will get off, most do, especially with money. But the question remains, will he be one of those that kill only himself or someone else
or family or kids only or who. Just who shall die because he is in denial.
Mr. Cronson:
Driving While License Suspended is a strict liability criminal offense.
Neither intent nor knowledge on the part of a driver that his/ her license is suspended is an element that need be proven by the prosecution.
Mr. Miquelon…while searching for a new job you should consider looking for other counsel.
Since Mr. Miquelon has been arrested for DUI for a second time within 5 years and has refused chemical testing, his license will be SUMMARILY suspended by the SOS office for 3 years. The only way a court can rescind or vacate that suspension id if Mr. Miquelon can establish, by a preponderance of evidence that either there were insufficient reasonable grounds for the traffic stop and arrest, or that he was not given proper oral warnings as to the suspension of his privileges based upon submittal to or refusal of chemical testing, or that there occurred a requisite violation of due process he is afforded.
DUI while your license is suspended is a FELONY!
Forget about driving a car, this guy is in charge of the finances of Walgreens? And Walgreens was our client and it is (was) a great company with (other) people of character and compassion. How did he get in?
Hey, here is the new Tribune exec!
I was told that ignorance of the law (didn’t know license was suspended) is no defense.
Sounds like he has a drinking problem but unless he was drinking at work and it affected his abilities he very well may be doing a good job at Walgreens. Do not rush to judge a persons character.
If the red light cameras don”t creat enough revenue the dui”s do ,he was profiled because of his past record ,good reason for the cops to stop him wether he was drunk or not, this is how they justfy traffic stops, this is how the police abuse the system to make money for those little towns.to keep there jobs
Bob, you sound like a bitter person who is a repeat offender…How many DUI’s have you not been convicted of? IE.. How many times have you driven drunk and were not caught?