Williamsburg, Va. - Williamsburg Mayor Clyde Haulman has been charged with assault and battery, Williamsburg Police confirm.
The incident happened just minutes after Thursday's city council meeting.
Sources close to the case say the mayor and the alleged victim, Gary Shelly, a local landlord in Williamsburg, have a "lengthy history" of arguing.
According to the complaint, Shelly says Haulman "aggressively approached him and put his face close to [him] in an intimidating manner."
He says the mayor also grabbed his tie choking him and yanking it back and forth. Shelly says he was unable to defend himself.
"It all happened so fast," Shelly told NewsChannel 3 via phone on Monday. "I was certainly shaken up when it was over, absolutely.”
Shelly says he has spoken in front of the mayor numerous times. Shelly says despite his attempts to converse with council, he feels like he is being ignored.
"More than anything, more than any one issue this time, it's the fact that I’ve not been responded to over and over again. It’s disrespectful," said Shelly.
The mayor did not return our phone call for a comment.
Nathan Green, Williamsburg Commonwealth's Attorney, is seeking a special prosecutor in this case.
Haulman, 72, has held the office of mayor since 2010. It was announced in February that he would not seek reelection.
