Martinez’ Aide Accused of Drunk Driving
Rudy Murillo, chief aide to San Diego City Councilman Uvaldo Martinez, was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving Friday evening, authorities confirmed Sunday. Murillo and Martinez are under investigation for alleged misuse of city credit cards.
Murillo, 38, was arrested shortly before 5:30 p.m. Friday as he drove south on Interstate 5 near Carmel Valley, according to California Highway Patrol Sgt. Timothy McLaughlin.
Officials at the downtown county jail confirmed that Murillo was booked and released Friday through the quick-release program, under which a person charged with driving under the influence of alcohol may leave if picked up by a sober driver.
The county grand jury is slated to begin an investigation Feb. 25 into $9,500 worth of credit card expenditures by Murillo and Martinez in the year ended June 30. Dist. Atty. Edwin Miller’s office investigated the matter for three months before opting to turn it over to the grand jury.
Last month, Murillo retrieved his car from a police impounding garage after it had been seized for $846 in unpaid parking fines and back registration fees, police said.
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