Henderson official will pay fine in traffic case
Henderson Assistant City Manager Fred Horvath pleaded no contest Monday to a misdemeanor traffic charge.
Horvath, whose court appearance was waived by Henderson Municipal Judge Douglas W. Hedger, agreed to pay $195 fine and attend traffic school within the next 60 days. His lawyer, William Terry, entered the plea to failing to maintain a lane on his behalf.
The 58-year-old was arrested Aug. 8 on suspicion of driving under the influence. A blood test showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.058 percent, under the legal limit of 0.08 percent, the Review-Journal learned.
The Henderson Police Department has not released many details on the events surrounding Horvath’s arrest. A spokeswoman said Monday that the case is considered open until Horvath completes traffic school.
Horvath is in Maryland with other top city officials and city council members for training with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He could not be reached for comment. City officials also declined comment.
Horvath was arrested at 7-Eleven, 1680 W. Sunset Road, on suspicion of driving under the influence after playing golf on a Friday, a day when the city is closed. Horvath was booked into the Henderson Detention Center on a first-time misdemeanor charge about 3 p.m. and released nearly 90 minutes later on his own recognizance by Henderson Municipal Chief Judge Mark Stevens.
Horvath was put on administrative leave following his arrest, but that was lifted after the blood test results came in the following week.
The arrest came amid ongoing negotiations between the city and its two police unions, which remain the last two bargaining units without new contracts.
Henderson officials said Monday that Horvath’s “role in the police union negotiations hasn’t yet been determined.”
Horvath has been the city’s lead negotiator on the four union contracts that have reached agreements this year, including the one with the Henderson Professional Fire Fighters union ratified in June. Horvath appeared before the City Council on Sept. 2 presenting the Teamsters contract for approval.
Contact Arnold M. Knightly at aknightly@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3882. Find him on Twitter: @KnightlyGrind.
