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Assemblyman’s lawyer in DWI arrest

Cops busted Assemblyman Keith Wright’s lawyer and a staff employee of the lawmaker in a DWI pullover in Harlem on Wednesday, police sources said.

Officers spotted attorney Jeanine Johnson, 35, leaving Corner Social bar at West 126th Street and Lenox Avenue at 4:07 a.m. Wednesday and driving off erratically, law enforcement sources said.

While Johnson was pulled over, a second car — with Wright staffer Cathleen McCadden, 28, and another person inside — arrived and they started cursing at officers, sources said.

Johnson allegedly refused to get out of her 2001 Acura, dropped Wright’s name and threatened to call NYPD brass to get the responding officers in trouble.

“I know that the defendant was intoxicated because I observed the defendant had watery eyes and had the odor of an alcoholic beverage on her breath,” Officer Gobinjee Bania said in a Manhattan criminal complaint.
“The defendant refused to exit her car and refused to let go of the steering wheel in order to avoid being handcuffed.”

The lawyer smelled of alcohol, had watery, bloodshot eyes and later blew a .113 blood-alcohol level, sources said.

McCadden did not follow orders to stand back, and allegedly shoved Lt. James O’Neil while he was arresting Johnson.
“I observed the defendant … place her hands on Lt. O’Neill, and push his body out of the way while Lt. O’Neill was attempting to arrest [Johnson],” Officer Ian Abramowitz said in a Manhattan criminal complaint.

Hours after the arrest on Wednesday, Wright (D-Harlem) went to the 28th Precinct station house to ask what happened.

“He was calm and polite,” a source said.

A rep for Wright could not be immediately reached for comment on Thursday.

The watering hole where Johnson was spotted is a favorite of Wright’s.

The lawmaker told Twitter followers and soccer fans on Monday: “Did I mention Harlem’s place-2 be for #WorldCup2014 is Corner Social, 321 Lenox Ave?”

Johnson, who lives in Manhattan, has been charged with reckless driving, resisting arrest and operating a car with a blood-alcohol level greater than .08.

McCadden, who lives in Brooklyn, is facing charges of resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and disorderly conduct.

Johnson and McCadden were released, without having to post bail, on Wednesday night.

Additional reporting by David K. Li