ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland lawmaker charged with operating a boat under the influence of alcohol says that he began drinking more after separating from his wife and feeling “betrayed” by longtime colleagues who voted for gay marriage.

Delegate Don Dwyer, R-Anne Arundel, tells The Capital of Annapolis that his drinking increased toward the end of last year’s General Assembly session. Dwyer says he felt sold out when colleagues voted last year for same-sex marriage, an issue he spent years working against. He had also recently separated from his wife in November 2011.

Dwyer has acknowledged that he was under the influence of alcohol when his boat collided with another vessel on the Magothy River in August. Several people were injured.

He says he has gotten treatment and no longer drinks.
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