‘Another upstanding DEI hire’: NY anti-addiction agency's ex-commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez slammed after her DUI arrest

Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez was arrested after a test disclosed she had a blood alcohol content of .20, which was far more than the allowed limit of .08
PUBLISHED JUL 2, 2024
Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez was reportedly arrested for DUI and hitting parked vehicles before urinating on herself (Kris Connor/Getty Images)
Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez was reportedly arrested for DUI and hitting parked vehicles before urinating on herself (Kris Connor/Getty Images)

AUBURNDALE, FLORIDA: Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez was thrashed online after it was revealed she was arrested for DUI and hitting parked vehicles before urinating on herself.

The New York Post reported that the former head of the state’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports was arrested in the City of Auburndale on Friday, June 28, after a test disclosed she had a blood alcohol content of .20, which was far more than the allowed limit of .08.

(L-R) Guest, Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, Douglas Apple and Rob Kent attend the 2016 Samaritan Daytop Foundation Gala at Tribeca Rooftop on October 26, 2016, in New York City. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images for Samaritan Daytop Village)
(L-R) Guest, Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, Douglas Apple, and Rob Kent attend the 2016 Samaritan Daytop Foundation Gala at Tribeca Rooftop on October 26, 2016, in New York City (Kris Connor/Getty Images for Samaritan Daytop Village)

Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez said ‘commissioner’ to cop as she was arrested

The publication citing the DA’s office stated that Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez was arraigned on Saturday, June 29, as charges were pressed against her for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, leaving the scene of an accident, and others.

NYPD Officer Christopher Machalek in the complaint explained that Gonzalez-Sanchez was taken into custody after he heard an accident noise near the intersection of 50th Avenue and Weeks Lane at around 10:15 pm.

The cop saw her sitting inside her 2001 Toyota 4Runner. However, when Machalek asked the 68-year-old to come out of her car, she reportedly peed on herself before saying, “Commissioner” to him.

Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez became NYS OASAS commissioner in 2011

According to Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez’s bio, she was made the Commissioner of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) in 2011 by then-Governor Andrew M Cuomo.

New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS) Commissioner Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez speaks at the 2016 Samaritan Daytop Foundation Gala at Tribeca Rooftop on October 26, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images for Samaritan Daytop Village)
Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez speaks at the 2016 Samaritan Daytop Foundation Gala at Tribeca Rooftop on October 26, 2016, in New York City (Kris Connor/Getty Images for Samaritan Daytop Village)

It added, “On a national level, Commissioner González-Sánchez serves as the First Vice President of the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) Board.”

Meanwhile, Gonzalez-Sanchez’s arrest has shocked some of her known ones.

Rob Kent, who for nine years served as Gonzalez-Sanchez’s general counsel in the addiction office, told The New York Post, “I’m surprised — she’s a good lady. She’s a real stand-up person. It’s sad to hear this happened.”

“It’s a little bit of a surprise,” a source close to Cuomo added.

Arlene Gonzalez Sanchez's alleged crime called ‘disgraceful’

People online have also shared their thoughts, with one reader commenting on the article, “Point 2-0 at 68 years of age? Amazing that she didn't spontaneously combust.”

Another reader joked, “She built up a tolerance over many years of addiction while pretending to be an ‘addiction counselor.’”

“She is not just the commissioner of addiction services she is a client,” the third one said.

“Good thing she didn't hit anybody with that 2001 tank she was driving,” the fourth one stated.

The fifth one remarked, “Another upstanding DEI hire.”

Another person added, “Disgraceful. If you're having serious addiction problems, then seek professional help before you harm or kill others.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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