A Wyoming lawmaker arrested for drunken driving told cops he boozed it up behind the wheel to cope with “anxiety,” authorities said.
Bill Allemand, a Republican in the Wyoming House of Representatives, was pulled over in Buffalo when officers spotted him driving erratically around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, according to a police report obtained by WyoFile.
An open can of beer was found in the front-seat cupholder next to Allemand, while four unopened cans were found in the passenger seat — and there was even a loaded handgun in the seat alongside him.
“[Allemand] admitted that he drinks while driving for anxiety,” police wrote, adding that the lawmaker told them he had downed two beers just 15 minutes before police stopped him.
The pol then failed a sobriety test, and after being arrested, “had significant difficulty getting in and out of patrol vehicle requiring Deputy to support the driver as to not let him fall,” the report read.
Allemand was pulled over after nearly getting into a car accident, where he “started from a stop almost striking a vehicle approaching from the West,” the report read.
He slammed on the brakes just before colliding with the other car, according to the report.
Allemand was charged with driving under the influence and has a trial by jury scheduled for May 1, WyoFile reported.
The politician told Cowboy State Daily he plans to fight the charges.
“I am challenging them in court,” Allemand said. “Because this was wrong. I got a deputy who did not like me knowing my rights, and he pushed it to where if I would have kept my mouth shut, I would have never been arrested.
“But because I did speak out about my civil rights, I got arrested on a false charge. I will be proving that in court,” he said.
Allemand was released on bond Monday and is required to undergo monthly Breathalyzer tests while his case is pending.
He has represented Wyoming’s District 58 since 2023 and has been a vocal supporter of bringing nuclear energy projects to the state.
