After facing jail time and nearly $2,000 in fines for allegedly impersonating a police officer last fall, Farmington City Council Member Jason Bartholomay got off with a $250 fine last week when most of the misdemeanor charges against him were dismissed.
Bartholomay, 41, was charged in November with one count of impersonating an officer and three counts of prohibited use of colored and flashing lights on his vehicle. He had outfitted his car with emergency lights that he said he used when responding to "suicidal situations" — part of his work as a therapist.
According to a criminal complaint, Bartholomay was pulled over Oct. 26 after Apple Valley police received a report of a vehicle using blue lights to pull over other vehicles.
Bartholomay turned over the lights, and police found a siren and public-address box like those used in squad cars.
He pleaded not guilty to all four charges, but later pleaded guilty to two charges of using prohibited lights. He was convicted on those charges March 14.
A call to Bartholomay's attorney had not yet been returned Monday afternoon.
State law allows nonemergency vehicles to use flashing lights to signal a traffic hazard, but there are additional restrictions on red and blue flashing lights.
Emma Nelson • 952-746-3287
