Raj Bhakta admits to drunk driving arrests

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updated 11:00 p.m. ET April 6, 2006

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. - Raj Bhakta, the aspiring apprentice turned aspiring politician, acknowledges that he has been arrested twice on drunken driving charges.

Bhakta, who was fired by Donald Trump during the second season of the NBC reality show “The Apprentice,” is the Republican challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz for a seat representing suburban Philadelphia.

Bhakta on Friday confirmed the authenticity of a June 1997 arrest report posted on “The Smoking Gun” Web site. He also disclosed that he had a second such arrest in Colorado.

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The 1997 report said Bhakta was arrested in Brookline, Mass., after an officer stopped him for having no license plate. He agreed to undergo an alcohol-education program and pay a $35 fine, according to Smoking Gun.

The second arrest occurred when Bhakta lived in Vail, Colo., in 2004. Bhakta would not discuss details but said the case was dismissed.

Bhakta, 30, said he was ashamed of his “irresponsible” actions.

“Politicians today need to come clean,” Bhakta said. “I ask for the forgiveness and understanding of the voters, while giving them my solemn pledge that this behavior will not happen again.”

Schwartz had no comment, a spokeswoman said.