Bush’s Teen Daughters Cited in Alcohol Incident

Police on Thursday cited President Bush’s 19-year-old twin daughters for allegedly violating state alcoholic beverage laws.

It would be the second offense for Jenna Bush and the first for her sister, Barbara.

Police accused Barbara Bush of being a minor in possession of alcohol and Jenna Bush of misrepresenting her age by trying to use false identification to buy alcohol, according to a statement from the Austin Police Department.

Both are Class C misdemeanors under the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code and carry a fine of up to $500, attendance at an alcohol awareness course, community service and a 30-day driver’s license suspension.

If convicted, Jenna Bush could lose her driver’s license for up to 90 days because it would be a second offense, according to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

A third person, Jesse Day-Wickham, also was cited for being a minor in possession of alcohol in the incident. An associate of the Bush family said Day-Wickham is a girlfriend of the Bush twins.

A police investigation determined that Jenna Bush allegedly ordered a margarita and was asked to produce identification proving she was 21. She showed a valid driver’s license belonging to someone else, police said. She was not served.

Witnesses told police that Barbara Bush and Day-Wickham were served alcohol.

Assistant Police Chief Jimmy Chapman said the bar checked IDs, but he did not know what ID Barbara Bush and Day-Wickham used. The ID Jenna Bush allegedly used was confiscated, and charges could be filed, he said.

Chapman said other patrons at Chuy’s Restaurant recognized Jenna Bush and told restaurant employees before the manager called 911 to report that minors were attempting to buy alcohol.

Chapman said Bush’s daughters and Day-Wickham were very cooperative. “I’m sure there’s a certain amount of embarrassment, but nobody said anything specific like ‘I’m going to be in trouble,’ ” he said.

The sisters signed the citations at their lawyers’ office Thursday morning.

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this has caused the first family,” the restaurant said in a statement released Thursday afternoon.

Just over two weeks ago, Jenna Bush pleaded no contest to charges of underage drinking. She was ordered to undergo alcohol counseling and perform community service.

Prosecutor John Wall said Wednesday that another citation for Jenna Bush could lead to the revocation of her punishment agreement on the underage drinking plea. He said authorities could then seek a conviction.

A spokeswoman for First Lady Laura Bush called the matter a private family issue.

“Both daughters are private citizens, and this is a private family matter. We respectfully request that the media treat it as such,” said spokeswoman Noelia Rodriguez.

Earlier Thursday, the White House asked the media to pause before pursuing more stories about the daughters’ legal problems stemming from alleged underage drinking.

“I would urge all of you to very carefully think through how much you want to pursue this,” Press Secretary Ari Fleischer told reporters in Washington. “It’s private and the American people respect that.”