'Why is he here?' Elk Grove Councilmember Sergio Robles appears at the same event that led to his drunk driving arrest one year ago
Since he admitted to drunk driving, Elk Grove City Councilmember Sergio Robles does not appear to attend events that his city council colleagues participate in where there is the slightest possibility of alcohol being served.
"Why is he here?"
That was a question asked by several participants at last night's Asian American and Pacific Islander Market Place event on Capitol Mall in downtown Sacramento after seeing Elk Grove District 4 City Councilmember Sergio Robles. At last year's event, the council member was apparently inebriated as seen on social media videos (see video below).
Hours later, in the early morning hours of May 20, Elk Grove Police arrested Robles on suspicion of driving under the influence. During the May 24 Elk Grove City Council meeting, Robles admitted to drunk driving and was given a group hug by all four of his city council colleagues.
It is not surprising that Robles has quit participating in social media images and videos partaking in alcoholic beverages. Additionally, since he admitted to drunk driving, Robles does not appear to attend events that his city council colleagues participate in where there is the slightest possibility of alcohol being served.
That makes Robles' appearance at last night's event's VIP tent, where alcohol flowed like a rapid river, unexpected. Multiple sources independently contacted Elk Grove News, expressing surprise.
These sources and others in the VIP tent say they uniformly asked, "Why is he here?"
Aside from being surprised by Robles' appearance, our sources said the chatter among the VIP attendees was about Robles and Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen. That chatter was about Singh-Allen's suspected role in suppressing media requests for the Elk Grove Police body camera videos of Robles' arrest.
After Elk Grove Police detained Robles last year, he was booked into the county jail and released on bail. While Robles' case has not been fully adjudicated, an examination of his court file shows that, as a member of the US Army National Guard, he is eligible for the Military Diversion Program, where charges could be dropped in the next year if he stays out of trouble.
So for less than a year, when his drunk driving arrest record and possible conviction could be expunged, Robles will have to keep his alcohol consumption out of the eye of the public. That is what makes his attendance at the event, which led to his legal troubles one year ago, so curious.
Regardless, if Robles' drunk driving charge is swept under the rug and he decides to seek a second term in 2026, voters could still ask, "Why is he here?"
