Butch Otter - Personal Life

Personal Life

In 1964, Otter married Gay Simplot, daughter of J. R. Simplot. After 28 years of marriage, the couple amicably divorced in 1992. On August 18, 2006, Otter married his longtime girlfriend and former Miss Idaho USA Lori Easley in Meridian.

In August 1992, Otter was pulled over on Interstate 84 near Meridian, Idaho for suspicion of driving under the influence. He claimed the arresting officer observed him swerving as he was reaching for his cowboy hat, which had been blown off by the wind in his open car. Otter offered several explanations for failing the field sobriety test including: his stocking feet were stung by weeds and gravel, he had run eight miles and his knee hurt, he was hungry, and that he had soaked his chewing tobacco in Jack Daniels. A jury convicted Otter in March 1993. He was sentenced to 72 hours of community service and 16 hours at an alcohol treatment program. This incident allegedly forced Otter to abandon an anticipated run for governor in 1994 and instead seek re-election for lieutenant governor.

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