Yukon Party MLA Darius Elias pleaded guilty this morning to failing to provide a breath sample to police.

The 42-year-old Vuntut Gwitchin MLA was charged with the criminal offence May 15, after Whitehorse RCMP officers spotted him using a cell phone while driving and pulled him over.

Elias wasn’t present today in territorial court, but his lawyer, Mike Reynolds, entered the plea on his behalf before Justice of the Peace Sharman Morrison-Harvey.

Cabinet spokeswoman Elaine Schiman did not respond to the Star’s request for comment on this morning’s guilty plea.

The Star reported last month that on that Thursday, the final day of the spring legislative sitting, Elias stopped by The Roadhouse bar for a beer. He returned after the legislature’s question period for a shot of Jägermeister.

Local media outlets also reported he left the legislature mid-afternoon for about an hour to dine at the Edgewater Hotel’s bar and restaurant.

On May 21, Elias held a press conference, sitting alongside Premier Darrell Pasloski and Schiman.

“I have a problem with alcohol consumption,” he said.

“It was very, very difficult for me to admit that this weekend. But this incident has made me realize that I can’t deal with this problem alone.”

He said he had begun the process of seeking professional help, but would not elaborate further at the time.

Elias’ sentencing is scheduled for 2 p.m. July 30.

Refusing to give a breath sample carries the same penalty as impaired driving, ranging from a $600 fine to five years’ jail time.

Helen Fitzsimmons of the Yukon Legislative Assembly said MLAs do not have to step down if criminally charged and convicted.

Whether to resign is their decision.