Published: Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008 / Updated: Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008 04:45 PM
Lindemann claims he's allowed to drive
Ten minutes before the start of Monday night's York County Council meeting, Councilman Paul Lindemann pulled into the parking lot behind the wheel of a black Audi sedan.
Lindemann, a Fort Mill resident who represents District 1, drove to York on a license that state records show has been suspended since his arrest last month on drunken- driving charges. Driving on a suspended license is a violation of the law.
Approached by a reporter from The Herald (The Herald is the Fort Mill Times' sister daily newspaper) as he walked to the meeting, Lindemann gave multiple explanations for why he was behind the wheel. He initially said he had received a provisional license. Then, he said his lawyer was taking care of the situation.
Finally, he said an officer told him as he checked out of the Richland County jail that he was allowed to drive to work, church or school under the terms of his suspended license.
"That's what I was told, and that's what I've been following," he said.
Asked why he initially gave a different account, Lindemann said his hectic schedule left him frazzled.
"I just sold my house," he said. "My kid's sick. I've been taking calls all day from these PETA people. I've been under some duress lately."
Supporters of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals attended Monday's meeting to speak on a proposal to outlaw the chaining of dogs.
During a July 16 traffic stop, police cited the 29-year-old for driving under the influence and for refusing to take a breathalyzer test. That refusal resulted in the immediate six-month suspension of his driver's license, records show.
There is a way for South Carolina motorists to get permission to drive while under suspension. They can apply to the Division of Motor Vehicles for restricted permits that allow them to drive to work or school. DMV officials said Monday that Lindemann does not have such a permit.