Newly-released bodycam footage showcases the shocking behavior of a Democratic official arrested for DUI, where she made inappropriate comments to police officers while flaunting her government position.
Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele, 45, was arrested on November 10 and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. Officers discovered her lying near two damaged vehicles after allegedly causing the collision.
According to a police report, Steele admitted to hitting a car and was visibly intoxicated at the scene. An opened bottle of red wine was found on the floor of her car.
“I observed her eyes were bloodshot and glassy,” an officer documented in the report. “I also detected a strong odor of [an] alcoholic beverage coming from her breath as she spoke.”
Flaunting Her Official Status
Bodycam footage released by the Chicago Police Department shows Steele appearing to use her official position as leverage during the incident. When an officer asked her to exit the vehicle, Steele resisted.
“If you don’t exit the vehicle, I’m going to help you to exit,” the officer said firmly.
“You don’t want that,” Steele replied. “I’m an elected official.”
Steele continued to refuse compliance, engaging in a verbal standoff with the officers. She then called her attorney and told another officer, “I’m an elected official, I don’t want any of this.”
Refusal to Cooperate Escalates
The footage further reveals Steele’s refusal to undergo a sobriety test. As she consulted her attorney on the phone, an officer presented her with the final decision.
“Now, tell your attorney, OK, since he’s on the phone, are you going to do field sobriety tests or no?” the officer asked.
“No,” Steele responded, leading the officers to handcuff her.
The arresting officer summarized the incident: “I asked her to do [a] field sobriety test, and she refused. And she smells like alcohol. She’s been drinking… You’ve been recorded all this time.”
Inappropriate Comments Surface
In a troubling detail noted in the police report, Steele allegedly made crude remarks to a male officer, repeatedly asking, “Is your penis that small?” Although the bodycam footage released to the public omits this exchange, the comments were documented in the report.
Steele’s actions during the arrest, coupled with her attempt to wield her position as a government official, have drawn significant criticism and attention.
