Kamenetz Writes Judge On Behalf of Huff

County Executive Kevin Kamenetz was one of three people to write a character reference to a Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge on behalf of Councilman Todd Huff, who has pleaded guilty to DUI.

The letter, which carried the county seal, was part of a defendant's exhibit provided to Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Martin two weeks ago as the judge began to contemplate Huff's sentence.

The packet included letters from Nancy Hafford, executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce, and Rev. Paul Cummins, retired pastor of Hereford United Methodist Church and long-time family friend.

Kamenetz, a Democrat, was the only elected official to pen a letter on Huff's behalf. The letter did not ask for leniency for Huff or make any kind of requests for sentencing.

[All three letters are attached to this story.]

"As I publicly stated at the time of his arrest, we elect human beings to office, and human beings make mistakes," Kamenetz wrote.

"I believe that [Huff] has the capacity to recognize his failures and learn from them, and can successfully complete such conditions as the court might impose in disposition," Kamenetz wrote.

Kamenetz went on to say that Huff, a first-term Republican from Timonium, was a serious and diligent Councilman.

Huff pleaded guilty nearly two weeks ago.

Martin Tuesday sentenced Huff to a one-year suspended jail sentence and 24 months supervised probation. Huff is also required to submit to random urine testing, and must remain alcohol free for two years.

He could also lose his Maryland drivers license as a result of the sentence. John Grason Turnbull III, Huff's attorney, said two weeks ago that the Councilman had already lost his Commercial Drivers License.

Turnbull argued at the time for a sentence of probation before judgment and said that if Huff lost his state drivers license his job with Brooks-Huff Tire, a company his family owns, and his position on the County Council would be in jeopardy.

Additional Coverage:

• Common Cause: Huff Call To Police Chief Possibly Unethical
• Taylor-Mitchell Eyes County Council Seat
• Huff Pleads Guilty To Driving Under the Influence
• State's Attorney Will Seek Outside Prosecutor For Huff DUI Case
• Councilman Todd Huff's Voice Mail Audio: 'I Was Drinking'
• Baltimore County Councilman Todd Huff Charged With DUI