For the first time since pleading guilty to extreme DUI, Mesa City Councilmember Ryan Winkle is opening up in a sit-down interview about what happened that night in May.
Wednesday night, Winkle reported to Tent City for the last time. Upon his release, he'll begin 49 days of house arrest as well as face fines.
"It was embarrassing...it was terrible."
That's how Winkle describes the Tempe police body camera video that captured his arrest.
He was busted for drunk driving. Court records show his BAC was .22 -- nearly three times the legal limit. His wife was riding in the passenger seat.
Both the councilman and his wife have since apologized for what happened - apologizing once again during an on-camera interview with ABC15 Wednesday.
"It's hurt a lot of people, "explains Councilman Winkle. "Mostly myself because I have to take responsibility. It was my choice. It was my decision. And it was not a good decision."
A decision that's more like deja vu for Winkle.
"Alcohol is a problem in my life. I can say that because obviously if it wasn’t, I wouldn't have two DUIs."
That first DUI, dating back to 2008. In fact, this is his second stint in Tent City.
But inside that tent, Winkle says he's not wasting any time. He's already read a book on budgets, and he's motivating other inmates to make changes in their lives and also get involved in their communities.
And on the outside, he's seeking treatment and says he's still finding ways to serve his community, despite taking a leave from the council, doing what he can, he says, to win over even his smallest critics.
ABC15's Nick Ciletti asked Winkle, who is a new dad, "When your baby is older, he's going to realize what happened. What are you going to tell him about all of this?"
Winkle responded by saying, "My dad used to say if you can't control yourself, someone else is going to control you. And I'm probably going to send that same message."
Winkle still isn't sure if he'll get to keep his job. He'll find out at a special hearing on Aug. 31 whether he'll remain on the city council.
Speaking of the city, ABC15 has learned the City of Mesa has already spent $36,000 on attorneys who are looking into what kind of disciplinary actions Winkle could face. Winkle says he wishes everyone could have come to an agreement ahead of time so that money could have been used for things like police salaries or education.
