Gov.'s son charged under 'social host' law

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Gov. Lincoln Chafee's teenaged son is facing more legal trouble.

The Rhode Island Attorney General's office and the state police have charged Caleb Chafee, 18, with one count of violating the state's social host law in connection with a May 28 party at the family's home in Exeter , the state attorney general's office confirmed Friday afternoon.

Chafee was issued a summons to appear Wednesday in Washington County District Court. In a statement Friday, Governor Chafee described underage drinking as "a major problem" and said he hopes other parents will use his son's situation to discuss it with their own children.

"Throughout this process, Stephanie and I have taken this matter seriously and have been concerned and disappointed by the details of the event in question, as any parents would be," the governor said. "Caleb will accept responsibility for his actions and, in addition to any legal consequences that result, we will continue to deal with this matter as a family."

The state police began investigating the party after one teen got so drunk she needed to go to the hospital.

A police report, obtained by WPRO radio indicated that Caleb Chafee ordered a group of people to leave when the girl became sick, and told them not to call 911 until they were off the property.

Back in April, the teen was charged with attempting to buy alcohol after police said he tried to buy beer from a Jamestown liquor store.

Under the social host law, anyone between the ages of 18 and 21 years of age convicted of permitting the consumption of alcohol by under aged persons in his or her residence or on his or her property can be fined no more than $500, sentenced to 30 hours of community service and be ordered to attend an educational program about the dangers of under aged drinking.