St. Charles alderman pleads guilty to exposure charge
St. Charles Alderman David Richards says he has no intention of resigning from office after admitting in court Tuesday to exposing himself while driving.
Richards, 59, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in DuPage County and was sentenced to three months of probation and a $150 fine.
In a brief interview later, Richards said he “certainly expects” to stay in office for the last two years of his third term as a 5th Ward city council member.
But his political future beyond that remains unclear, he said.
“Two years is a long time,” Richards said.
West Chicago police arrested the alderman in July after a truck driver called 911 to report a motorist exposing himself on westbound North Avenue. The witness provided a license plate number, which police traced back to Richards.
In a statement issued through his attorney Tuesday, Richards was said to be “both apologetic and embarrassed for what transpired.”
Richards' attorney, Kenneth Johnson, said his client was adjusting his clothing and did not intentionally expose himself.
“Mr. Richards admits that although his action while he was driving on a public road was not wise, he meant to offend no one,” the statement says. “He accepted full responsibility by agreeing to the appropriate disposition of this case.”
Under the terms of a plea agreement, prosecutors removed language in the official charge indicating Richards exposed himself “to a passing motorist.”
The July 16 incident in West Chicago was not the first time Richards was accused of such behavior. He was questioned but not charged in May 2008 after a motorist in St. Charles reported another driver exposing himself on westbound East Main Street.
Police said Richards was never charged in the prior incident because he was fully clothed when police pulled him over, and the caller refused to sign a complaint.
Richards has said that accusation was false, and possibly fabricated by an angry motorist he cut off in traffic.
In light of the plea Tuesday, St. Charles Mayor Don DeWitte reiterated calls for Richards to resign.
“David Richards is well aware of my position regarding his need to resign his aldermanic seat,” DeWitte said. “He is also aware that those same thoughts are shared by some members of the St. Charles City Council. His guilty plea in (the) hearing only confirms that he should be strongly considering those suggested actions.”
Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer James Fuller contributed to this story.