Liquor Board Chairman Resigns After DUI Leaving New MGM National Harbor Casino

• Charles W. Caldwell III arrested for DUI right after grand opening
• Caldwell attempted to leverage his position on the commission to get out of his arrest
• The former liquor chairman was so drunk he crashed into two cars outside the casino
• A breathalyzer test administered at the scene was inconclusive because officers claim Caldwell refused to keep his head still

Last week’s grand opening of the MGM National Harbor Casino near Washington, DC created quite the buzz here at Gambling911.com with the presser among the most read, but an incident following that opening threatens to mar the grand occasion.

The chairman of the Prince George’s County liquor board, which granted a liquor license to the casino, was arrested and charged with a DUI after leaving that property last Thursday, media outlets have since revealed.

The resignation of Charles W. Caldwell III from the board comes the same day authorities released a police report indicating he attempted to leverage his position on the commission to get out of his arrest, asking officers while he was detained on Thursday, “Is there any way we can make this go away?”

Caldwell denied being impaired despite driving recklessly and colliding with two other vehicles outside the casino.

Though Caldwell claims a breathalyzer test administered at the scene was inconclusive, officers say he refused to keep his head still during the breath test, preventing officers from completing the procedure to obtain a reading of his blood alcohol concentration.

Caldwell also stated that his inability to stand straight was a result of his age.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), who appointed Caldwell to chair the Prince George’s Board of License Commissioners last year, asked Caldwell to step down from the post.

“Under these circumstances, the governor does not have the authority to remove Mr. Caldwell from the board,” Shareese DeLeaver-Churchill, a spokeswoman for Hogan said in a statement Tuesday evening. “However, the governor is very concerned and disappointed in this situation and has asked Mr. Caldwell to step down from his role as chairman, which he has agreed to do.”

The current vice-chair of the board, which oversees more than 600 stores, restaurants and other entities that sell liquor in the county, will lead the board until a new chair is selected.

The Attorney General has refused to comment on the situation since Caldwell was asked to step down.

Overall, the MGM National Harbor grand opening enjoyed a spectacular grand opening despite the bit of bad news that followed in regard to Caldwell.

Delivering a new experience to the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic, the $1.4 billion MGM National Harbor is more than simply a casino or hotel, a presser issued to Gambling911.com last week proclaimed, it is an entertainment destination offering an unrivaled collection of attractions.

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com