Planning Commissioner pleads guilty

A Huntington Beach planning commissioner and council candidate last week pleaded guilty to driving with a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.

An attorney for Tim Ryan entered the plea in Orange County Superior Court on his client’s behalf.

“Mr. Ryan’s decision was to accept the consequences of his actions and authorize me to enter a plea [of guilty] today,” said Ryan’s attorney, Todd Landgren, who filed a motion Sept. 18 to ensure Ryan’s rights weren’t violated when he was arrested or booked.

The district attorney’s office in spring charged the City Council candidate, who failed to win election to the City Council on Nov. 7, with driving under the influence, according to court records.

Ryan first appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to both charges May 2 before changing his plea Thursday after four postponements.

The DUI charge was dropped in exchange for Ryan’s guilty plea. He was sentenced to pay a fine of about $2,000 and attend an alcohol program for first-offenders.

He also voluntarily donated $750 to the Victim Witness Emergency Fund, Landgren said.

Ryan was charged with driving with a 0.20 BAC level — more than double the .08 legal limit — according to the D.A.’s criminal complaint. He was released on $10,000 bail.

Ryan finished eighth out of 12 candidates with 7.4% of the vote. The top three candidates elected were Jill Hardy, Jim Katapodis and Dave Sullivan.

Ryan was not available for comment.

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