PASO ROBLES, Calif- Instead of spending election night at a watch party, one central coast mayoral candidate spent the night behind bars. On Thursday, Jeff Rougeot, a write-in candidate for Paso Robles Mayor, spent his time answering to a judge instead of voters.
Rougeot is no stranger to a courtroom and had run ins with the law since the late 80s. "The department has arrested him for DUI, we had an arrest that involved criminal threats and we have had other investigations," said Lt. Ty Lewis from Paso Robles Police.
The alleged criminal threat against an acquaintance involved a gun, he was also in court to deal with separate charges of grand theft and violating court orders involving domestic violence.
Last month Rougeot decided to run in the election as a write-in candidate, and was invited to a public forum to talk about why he should be Paso Robles next mayor, but he didn't make the best impression. Several people who were at the forum thought he was drunk.
Rougeot didn't win the mayor's race but even with his prior charges he was able to give it a try, because any person can run for office as long as he or she is not in prison or on parole, and is eligible to vote.
