The mayor of a Southwest Florida city learned the hard way that no one is above the law, not even her!
Naples Mayor Teresa Heitmann was arrested last week on charges of driving under the influence (DUI). According to CBS News, the police were summoned to the scene by a couple who claimed that Heitmann had allegedly driven over their mailbox. They recounted that she had followed them to their home, stopped her vehicle on the grass in front of their residence, and appeared to be inebriated.
Upon the arrival of law enforcement, Heitmann reportedly informed the officers that the couple had cut her off in traffic. However, her narrative seemed questionable due to observable signs of intoxication. Notably, when the officer addressed her as “Mayor,” Heitmann insisted, “No, don’t call me mayor. I am Teresa Heitmann right now, I am not the mayor.” Despite her assertion that she had only consumed one glass of wine, she failed a field sobriety test, which ultimately led to her arrest.
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Subsequent reports indicated that the mayor consented to a breath test at the Naples Jail Center. The results were alarming, with readings of 0.155 and 0.169—significantly above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.
Heitmann was eventually released from jail after posting a bond of $500 on Thursday.
Reactions from the City
In response to the incident, Naples City Manager Jay Boodheshwar released a statement expressing the sentiments of city employees: “City employees were saddened to learn about the incident involving the Mayor. We know this is a difficult time for Mayor Heitmann and will give her the space she needs.”
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