Alcohol control chief faces DUI charge

The executive director of the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control faces a drunken driving charge after he was arrested during a traffic stop.

Chris Lilly was pulled over Saturday on U.S. 27 outside Nicholasville because his Ford Explorer was missing a headlight, and because he was weaving and driving slowly, police said.

Police said Lilly smelled of alcohol, lost his balance during a sobriety test and recorded a Breathalyzer reading of 0.181. The legal limit is 0.08.

Lilly posted $1,000 bail early Sunday, and was scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 18, Jessamine County Jailer Cecil Moss said.

"He has apologized to the agency, and has indicated he intends to resign effective yesterday," said Mark York, spokesman for the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet, which includes Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Messages left by The Associated Press at Lilly's home and office Monday were not immediately returned.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher appointed Lilly to the executive director position last year. Before that, Lilly was the commissioner of the state's Department of Public Protection and executive director for the Office Of Charitable Gaming.