MARYLAND (WBFF) — Maryland Human Services Secretary Rafael López pleaded guilty Monday to driving under the influence earlier this year in Washington.
“I have accepted responsibility and am accountable for my actions,” López said in a statement. “On the advice of counsel, I will not comment further on legal proceedings at this time. I appreciate the support I have received from family, friends, and colleagues.”
Court records show López, who was appointed secretary in 2023 after working in both the Obama and Biden administrations, will be sentenced Dec. 1, 2026 — a deal and deferment that could see the charge dropped a year from now. In the meantime, the secretary will have to complete 40 hours of community service.
According to charging documents, on Jan. 18, a “Ralph Lopez” was pulled over a couple of blocks from the U.S. Capitol after failing “to maintain lane several times.” An officer noted López had “red, watery eyes,” and although the driver said he’d only had one or two alcoholic drinks in a three-plus hour period, police said they “detected a strong odor” of alcohol on his breath.
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