Tony Plakas, head of the Lake Worth not-for-profit gay community group, COMPASS, was arrested on October 11 after running a stop sign, almost hitting another SUV on North Dixie Highway, weaving into oncoming traffic, and running up on the curb on Forest Hill Road at Norton Avenue.
"Upon initial contact, the driver appeared to have a blank stare, as if looking through me," the Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputy wrote in his report. He described the driver's eyes as "glossy" and "bloodshot red" and unable to focus. He also noted a strong odor of alchohol.
"The driver appeared very confused and advised that he was on his way to pick up his brother caused (sic) he received a call."
Plakas fumbled pulling out his driver's license and handed one to the deputy that wasn't his. It turned out to be his partner's. The deputy asked for the correct driver's license, which he had seen in the wallet, and after he had it in hand, proceeded to arrest Plakas for DUI, or Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs.
Plakas, age 40, is the so-called CEO of COMPASS, a not-for-profit organization that has a large community center in a bright blue building at 201 North Dixie Highway, just across from the new Publix.
"Compass Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Lake Worth and the Palm Beaches aims to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions about the character of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community," it says on the organization's web site.
Plakas was processed and released on his own recognizance.
