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Mayoral Candidate Waives Preliminary Hearing

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - One of Pittsburgh's mayoral candidates was in court Wednesday morning for a preliminary hearing after being arrested on DUI charges a week ago.

A.J. Richardson waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday morning.

According to police, the 36-year-old was passed out behind the wheel of his minivan, with the engine still running on April 3.

When they attempted to arrest him, Richardson was allegedly verbally abusive and kept yelling that he was going to be mayor and knew his rights.

Richardson said this is nothing more than a bump in the road and will not impact his candidacy for mayor.

"I am a leader. I made a mistake. I acknowledge that to the whole City of Pittsburgh. Now, we have to move forward. Most leaders do not take accountability for their own efforts. I did that and that says something, and that's the type of leadership we need in the next mayor, and that's the type of leadership that is in A.J. Richardson," Richardson said.

Richardson's attorney would not say how his client plans to plea, but said he is trying to get him into a diversion program for first time offenders.

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