Watertown Rep. John Lawn did not drink at the State House, Speaker Ron Mariano told the Herald.

“He had not had a drink when we left the State House,” Mariano said, adding with “certainty” the fellow House member was sober while in the “People’s House.” What happened next is a different story.

The Herald called the speaker yesterday after Lawn dodged questions in the hallway after his arraignment on where he allegedly got drunk.

Lawn told police, according to the arrest report, that he was drinking at an event at the State House. Yesterday, however, he revised that story, telling reporters he was “at a private residence.”

Mariano said he remains firm about no drinking in the State House by representatives, but he won’t ban alcohol for special events.

“It’s the People’s House and there are private events all the time where alcohol is allowed,” he explained. “It’s a place of business and a historical institution the rest of the time, but it’s more than just an office building.”

Mariano picked up the phone before the second ring when the Herald called. We were trying to pin down one question: Did Lawn drink at work? The speaker said they both left just before 5 p.m. and no alcohol was present.

“I know John well,” the speaker said, “and it was aberrant behavior” that went down past midnight.

Maraino said Lawn “stepped up” by admitting he was wrong and will “use this as a reset.”