Lawyer gets jail time for blaming car accident on nonexistent black man
An Ohio lawyer was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 days in jail for blaming his car accident on a black man who didn’t exist.
Lawyer Kenneth Lewis of Brunswick apologized before his sentencing, saying he was “embarrassed” and “humiliated,” the Chronicle-Telegram reports. Visiting Judge John Ridge sentenced Lewis to jail and said the lawyer may have to serve an additional 80 days if he gets into more trouble in the next three years.
Lewis told police that a black man at a bar offered to drive him and a friend home because they were both too intoxicated to get behind the wheel. Lewis said the black man fled the scene after the car crashed into a utility pole.
The friend, Heather Wilsey, who is also a lawyer, allegedly confirmed Lewis’ story. Both Lewis and Wilsey are white.
Surveillance footage from the bar showed Lewis and Wilsey leaving together alone and Wilsey getting behind the wheel, police say.
Wilsey has also been charged with driving under the influence and obstructing official business in the case.
