NH state liquor commissioner charged with DWI

[April 20, 2010]  GILFORD, N.H. (AP) -- One of New Hampshire's state liquor commissioners has been charged with driving while intoxicated.

The police chief of the town of Gilford says Richard Simard was stopped around 11:30 Saturday night after Laconia police alerted them to a possibly intoxicated driver.

Gilford Chief John Markland says his officers did a field sobriety test. Simard refused to submit a breath test.

Simard was released on $1,000 personal recognizance bond and is due in court May 6.

Markland described it as a routine DWI stop but says his officers knew about Simard's position. Gov. John Lynch's office is expected to issue a statement.

[Associated Press]

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