The man recently hired to improve customer service in DeKalb County's planning office has been arrested after being accused of assaulting a worker during a confrontation in front of at least one customer.
Decatur Police charged Eric Woods with simple assault after investigating the May 17 incident, in which he was alleged to have jabbed Tracy Evans in the chest and yelled at him as he worked the permit counter. Evans was helping a customer at the time.
After learning of his Friday arrest, the county placed Woods on paid administrative leave Tuesday while it conducts its own investigation.
"He is on leave while we are looking into the allegations of misconduct," said county spokesman Burke Brennan.
The county hired Woods as its building development administrator in March. His task was to unify the low-morale department and ease what customers described as frustrating waits in getting permits and consistent interpretation of codes.
Evans, a permit technician for eight years, showed a secretary a letter he had written complaining of a hostile work environment under Woods. Shortly afterward, he said that Woods confronted him at the permit counter and ordered him out of the office.
Evans resigned that day, though he said he was forced to step down because of threats to do so in the letter. He has not sought to get his job back, though the position is posted on the county website.
Woods posted bond on the assault charge Friday and had taken a personal day on Monday before he was placed on leave. He could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
As a probationary employee, Woods is not merit-protected from any action the county decides to take, Brennan said.
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