Rocky Watch: 'I'm to blame.'

After ducking questions for more than a week, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo admitted Monday that his wife was behind the wheel of his city-assigned SUV and driving with a suspended license when she damaged it in an accident three years ago. Kerry Cavanaugh n the Daily News. L.A.Times.

Delgadillo also admitted he allowed taxpayers to foot the bill for $1,222 in repairs to the SUV after the 2004 incident.

His voice cracking with emotion, Delgadillo said he made a mistake and should have been more open about the collision and repairs. Under city policy, family members of employees are not allowed to drive city-assigned vehicles.

He wrote a personal check to the city Monday to cover the cost of the repairs.

"Like any husband, I love my family and have tried to keep them out of the public eye," he said. "But as an elected official I am accountable to the public and I realize I should have spoken up earlier. That was a mistake."

"I am saddened that my wife's life has become a public issue. I mishandled the situation and I apologize."

Delgadillo has been dogged for more than a week by questions over whether his wife, Michelle, occasionally drove his city-assigned GMC Yukon and damaged it when she used it to go to a doctor's