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St. Pete Times' Tampa publisher charged with DUI

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 28, 2009

Updated: 07/28/2009 07:56 am

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• Times' reporter charged with DUI

Joe DeLuca

TAMPA - Joe DeLuca, the Tampa publisher for the St. Petersburg Times, was arrested late Monday on a charge of driving under the influence.

DeLuca, 50, of St. Petersburg, was arrested at 11:10 p.m. Monday at Gandy and West Shore boulevards.

He declined an interview request by The Tampa Tribune and TBO.com this morning, jail officials say.

According to Tampa police, DeLuca was seen driving a 2001 Toyota SUV south on the Selmon Crosstown Expressway near the Willow Street toll plaza. The SUV was traveling 20 mph over the speed limit and swerving, police say.

After exiting at Gandy, the SUV continued swerving and tailgated vehicles, police say.

Police stopped DeLuca. He had bloodshot eyes and smelled of alcohol, and he refused to take a breath test, police say.

DeLuca remains in Orient Road Jail. His bail was set at $500.

DeLuca was hired by the Times in 2001 as director of operations, according to a biography on the St. Petersburg Times' Web site. He was named vice president and Tampa publisher in 2005, and he was made responsible for "leading strategic growth initiatives in Hillsborough and central and east Pasco counties." He serves on the company's board of directors.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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