FIRST ON 3: Krause’s Wilmington DWIs not his first

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — We already knew the DWI charge that cost Wilmington Housing Authority CEO Michael Krause his job this week was not his first. Now it appears it was not his second or apparently even his third, according to an Ohio newspaper.

The Vindicator in Youngstown, OH, reports Krause was charged with DWI in August 2000 when he worked in Youngstown.

Court records from Columbiana County, OH, show a complaint for DWI Breath 1st Offense was filed against Michael J. Krause on Aug. 16, 2000. According to the records, Krause appeared in court that Wednesday morning without an attorney, waived his right to counsel and a jury trial and pleaded no content to an amended charge of “2nd offense.” Krause was found guilty and sentenced to 180 days in jail with 160 days suspended pending three years probation, including counseling at an alcohol and drug rehab clinic. He later paid a $500 fine plus $58.50 in court costs.

The Vindicator reports Krause was an assistant Columbiana County prosecutor and an assistant Youngstown prosecutor before becoming director of human resources and deputy director at Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority.

Wilmington Police arrested Krause last Sunday after another driver called 911 to report a SUV driving erratically on Oleander Drive. A dispatch log shows Krause blew a .35 blood alcohol content at his home on Windemere Road followed by two more breath tests that registered .31. He is due back in court Nov. 26 to face charges of DWI and no operators license.

The WHA Board voted to fire Krause Thursday.

In 2009 WPD charged Krause with DWI after he blew .23. He later pleaded guilty, paid a fine and performed community service.

Another Ohio newspaper reports that in January 2011, Krause pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct in Hancock County, WV. The paper’s website says Krause was fined $100 and court costs, while a judge granted the prosecutor’s motion to dismiss a charge of public intoxication.

Krause has not returned phone messages from WWAY this week for comment. No one answered the door at his house when we went by earlier this week.