Councillor caught texting and driving in committee livestream apologizes
Coun. George Darouze was caught Zooming, texting and driving during a livestreamed committee meeting Tuesday.
“This morning, I inadvertently texted while I was driving. I apologize for this and commit to my family and residents that this won't happen again,” Darouze wrote on his Facebook page as the audit committee was still happening.
Darouze later replaced his Facebook post with: “This morning I was texting and driving. This was stupid thing to do and I should not have done this. I commit to my family and residents that this won't happen again.”
On the livestreamed committee meeting, Darouze, wearing his Team Ottawa jacket with the City of Ottawa logo, is seen behind the steering wheel from the vantage of his passenger seat. He puts on his seatbelt and, as the vehicle is moving and the camera is pointing in his direction, Darouze grabbed his mobile phone and began using it, at one point with two hands. He was wearing over-the-ear headphones.
It all happened as the audit committee was receiving the audit on the Lansdowne Park financial scheme.
All council and committee meetings are happening virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic using Zoom and livestreamed via YouTube.
Darouze didn't immediately respond to an email and phone message asking for an explanation.
Darouze later appeared at the committee meeting, not inside a vehicle.
Darouze is a deputy mayor and, along with his membership on the audit committee, is a member of the finance and economic development committee, environment committee, agriculture and rural affairs committee and information and technology subcommittee.
He's also a member of the transportation committee.