EXCLUSIVE: Police arrest Cleveland Councilman Eugene Miller for speeding and OVI

CLEVELAND - In an exclusive interview with NewsChannel5, Cleveland City Council Member Eugene Miller fessed-up and took responsibility for his actions after being charged by Cleveland Police for OVI and speeding early Sunday morning.

"I'm not going to run from it, I'm not going to hide from it. I'm not going to lie. That's what I did. I did something wrong and I'm not going to do that one again. It's just simple as that," councilman Miller told NewsChannel5's Stephanie Ramirez.

In the interview, Miller described himself as a social drinker saying he only casually drinks at events. Early Sunday morning, Miller said he was celebrating watching the Notre Dame football game and admitted to having a few drinks.

The councilman said he didn't feel drunk or unable to operate his vehicle and rushed home to see the Notre Dame football game highlights.

Cleveland Police stopped Miller around 1 a.m. Sunday near Route 2 and South Marginal Road. Officers then arrested him for OVI and speeding and took him to the Central Prison Unit for booking.

"It's sad that I represent people and I made a mistake by driving under the influence," said Miller, "…the person I really feel the saddest about is my daughter, the one who came and got me this morning. Usually, it's the other way around. You're telling your 21-year-old don't do this and here I am. She had to come get her father out of jail this morning because of the mistake I made."

Councilman Miller told NewsChannel5 he made a poor judgment but does not feel he should be taken off city council for it.

Over the phone, council president Martin Sweeney said he wouldn't comment because he didn't know the details of Miller's arrest. He also said, "Eugene is a councilman" and that "he works very hard."

Miller's constituents in Ward 10 are expressing very different opinions. Upon hearing Miller's arrest, Freddie Coley said, "It shows me that he's not showing that he is a product for our community."

Opposite of Coley, Derrish Richardson said, "I wouldn't judge him from one incident. He's been doing good in the Ward and I would most definitely want to keep him there."

Councilman Miller said this is his first OVI. He would not comment on his blood alcohol content level, how many drinks he had or how fast he was driving.

Miller is due in court at 8:30 Monday morning for a pre-trial.

NewsChannel5's Tara Sutton contributed to this report.