http://www.press-citizen.com/article...ents-while-job



Driving instructor accused of providing wine to students while on job



A driving instructor who does business in Johnson County is accused of providing wine to two girls – ages 14 and 16 – during driving time and then continuing with their instruction.



According to Coralville Police criminal complaints, Frederick D. Bindner, 62, of Mount Pleasant, offered wine to the girls at the Olive Garden restaurant in Coralville on June 27. Bindner operates Auto Right Driving School and the girls were his students, police said.



A third girl, who was also a student, was with the group, but did not take any wine. Her father, local restaurateur Kevin Perez, went to police after learning what happened.



“She tells me he took her and two other girls to Olive Garden when they were supposed to be out driving,” Perez said.



Perez said he learned about the Olive Garden incident on June 29. His daughter, who is 16, told him there was a disagreement with Bindner and he had threatened to withhold her certificate for completing the course until she had “earned it,” Perez said.



Bindner faces two counts of providing alcohol to minors, a serious misdemeanor. He is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 1.



Lt. Shane Kron of the Coralville Police said the investigation was closed and Bindner was not facing any additional charges. While the two minors could have faced charges for possession of alcohol, Kron said the department won’t pursue those charges.



Perez said he confronted Bindner after speaking to his daughter.



“He said he was sorry,” Perez said. “I said my daughter is not coming back to class.”



Perez said he hopes to get Bindner’s license to teach driver’s education revoked. Perez said a representative from the Iowa Department of Education – which licenses driver’s education instructors – met with the girls and their parents on Friday.



Staci Hupp, spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Education, said Bindner could face a letter of reprimand, suspension or revocation of his teaching license. She did not know if Bindner has been previously disciplined.



A message left at Auto Right Driving School was not returned Friday.