Tim Ryann
Tim Ryann (SCOTT SMELTZER / November 8, 2012)

By Andrew Shortall
November 8, 2012 | 2:58 p.m.

A Huntington Beach planning commissioner's attorney entered a plea of guilty to driving with a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 or greater on his client's behalf Thursday morning.
Huntington Beach police arrested Tim Ryan on Jan. 28. The Orange County district attorney's office charged the City Council candidate with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and having a blood alcohol content level above the legal limit of 0.08, according to court records.
Ryan first appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to both charges May 2 before changing his plea Thursday after four postponements.
"Mr. Ryan's decision was to accept the consequences of his actions and authorize me to enter a plea [of guilty] today," said Ryan's attorney, Todd Landgren, who filed a motion Sept. 18 to ensure Ryan's rights weren't violated when he was arrested or booked.
The DUI charge was dropped in exchange for Ryan's guilty plea. He was sentenced to pay a fine of about $2,000 and attend a first-offense alcohol program. He also voluntarily donated $750 to the Victim Witness Emergency Fund, Landgren said.
Ryan was charged with driving with a 0.20 BAC level — more than twice the legal limit — according to the D.A.'s criminal complaint. He was released on $10,000 bail.
Ryan finished eighth out of 12 candidates with 7.4% of the vote. The top three candidates elected were Jill Hardy, Jim Katapodis and Dave Sullivan.
Ryan was not available for comment.