Costa Mesa Councilman Claims Unions Tried To Set Him Up For DUI Investigation

COSTA MESA (CBSLA.com) — A Costa Mesa City councilman claims labor unions tried to set him up to be investigated for drunk driving.

Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer says someone called 911 and falsely reported he was driving recklessly. An officer was sent to Righeimer's home to give him a sobriety test on his front porch, which turned out to be negative, KNX 1070's Mike Landa reports.

Righeimer believes the false report came from his opponents in the labor movement.

"I understand that pensions are a tense issue, I understand that pay is a tense issue, I understand that some people may disagree," Righeimer said to reporters. "But when, it looks like someone is paid to follow me around town and then set me up for a DUI in front of my kids and my house, that's crossing the line."

Righeimer has proposed outsourcing public employee jobs to the private sector.

Police say an informant called 911 at about 6 p.m. Wednesday and followed a driver who was possibly drunk. The caller followed the driver, who was later identified as Righeimer, from a bar to his home in Mesa Verde and pointed out the house to a responding officer, according to the Daily Pilot.

At a news conference, Righeimer showed his receipt for two Diet Cokes totaling $6 from the bar.

Police are now investigating the call.