Maryland Politician Sorry About Partying With Drunken Teens

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler was photographed at a drunken teenage party in June. Wait, why was he there? And why didn’t he try to break it up?

It’s not his job.

Photos of the gathering were shared on Instagram and Twitter by the teens in attendance, and Gansler can be clearly seen in one prominent shot (in which he’s actually in the thick of the twerking, taking pictures).

When asked about his presence at the gathering, he explained that he had merely stopped by the Delaware beach house to speak to his teenage son for a moment. He said that he didn’t know if there was any alcohol there (there was) and didn’t bother to investigate because it’s not his job as one of Maryland’s highest-ranking law enforcement officials to intervene.

“Assume for purposes of discussion that there was widespread drinking at this party,” Gansler said when pressed to clarify his presence. “How is that relevant to me? … The question is, do I have any moral authority over other people’s children at beach week in another state? I say no.”

Still, Gansler has had a hard time convincing advocates against substance abuse and underage drinking, who say that he didn’t have to act as Attorney General, just as… you know… an adult.

“It’s totally inappropriate for an adult, especially for an elected official whose job is to uphold the laws of the state or any state,” said Michael Gimbel, Baltimore County’s former alcohol abuse prevention official. “For any parent to do this is irresponsible. But for an attorney general who fought for these laws on the books is even worse.”

Later, Gansler admitted that he probably could have done a little bit more than take pictures and bounce. “Perhaps I should have assumed there was drinking in the home, and I got that wrong,” he admitted Thursday.

By the way, he’s running for governor.

Though Gansler can’t seem to tell the difference between being acting as a police officer and just calling one, the teenagers who were at the party were all thrilled they didn’t get shut down.

“I don’t remember much, but it was one of the best parties I’ve been to, hands down,” one unnamed teenager told the Baltimore Sun.

Glad you had fun, kiddo.