The City of North Tonawanda’s lead attorney said Thursday he won’t resign following his arrest for public intoxication last month in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Myrtle Beach police arrested and charged City Attorney Edward A. Zebulske III on Feb. 19.
On Thursday, he released a statement on the incident: “On a recent trip to Myrtle Beach, I was charged with a minor, local ordinance violation for which my local attorney is in the process of resolving with the city. Under the advice of counsel, I am unable to further discuss the legal proceedings at this time. That said, I would stress that I was not driving, there was no physical altercation with anyone, nor any property damage.”
Zebulske was also arrested and charged with first-offense DWI in November 2023. That incident occurred in front of Dwyer’s Pub on Webster Street in the Lumber City.
The case was settled with Zebulske entering a guilty plea during his first court appearance to a charge of driving while ability impaired and unsafe backing. He was fined an undisclosed amount and his driver’s license was suspended for 90 days.
Zebulske addressed the incident in his statement: “I do recognize my social drinking has led to some poor decisions, so I will be taking some necessary steps to address these issues, which I will keep personal to me and my family.
“Having said that, my issues have never impacted my work, nor have there been any such accusations. That is why I have no intention of resigning my position.”
Mayor Austin Tylec, along with members of the North Tonawanda Common Council, have reportedly called on Zebulske to resign. The role of city attorney is an elected position in North Tonawanda.
In his most recent incident, a copy of a police report from the incident, obtained by the Niagara Gazette, indicates that Zebulske’s arrest was made by police officers responding to a report of a disorderly disturbance at a Red Roof Inn in Myrtle Beach. According to the report, a hotel manager reportedly contacted police after finding a highly intoxicated man lying outside the building. The man allegedly entered the building, acting loudly and throwing objects in the lobby, the report indicates. Police said they arrested Zebulske in connection with the incident after finding him disoriented with cuts on his feet.