BOARDMAN — Mahoning County Republican Party Chairman Tom McCabe, who also is director of the county board of elections, apologized after being found guilty of an amended charge of having physical control of a vehicle while under the influence.

McCabe initially was charged Nov. 1 with operating a vehicle while impaired.

Mahoning County Court Judge Joseph Houser found McCabe guilty Thursday of physical control instead of OVI. Both are first-degree misdemeanors, but physical control doesn’t put points on a person’s driving record while OVI does, according to a court clerk.

“I made a mistake, and I accept responsibility,” McCabe said Friday. “It’s a lesson learned. I apologize to the people I let down. I thank everyone for being professional and supportive. It won’t happen again.”

McCabe added: “I’m happy with the resolution. I’m glad it’s over; it’s resolved and we move on. It’s a lesson learned.”

Houser fined McCabe $500 for the conviction, put him on nonreporting probation for a year and assessed a $120 probation cost as well as a $70 court fee.

No restrictions were put on McCabe’s driver’s license.

He also was charged initially with failure to yield right of way. Houser found him guilty of that and fined him $20 with $10 court cost.

McCabe, 56, of Forest Lake Drive in Boardman, was pulled over at 1:18 a.m. Nov. 1 on McClurg Road in Boardman by an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper.

McCabe previously said he was “out and about” after “working late,” picked up a pizza and was driving back to his residence when he was pulled over by a trooper.

McCabe refused to be tested for his blood-alcohol content.

McCabe was elected county Republican Party chairman in February 2019. He has been either director or deputy director of the board of elections for about 25 years.

dskolnick@vindy.com