East Point City Councilman Alexander Gothard faces a July 13 hearing before a municipal judge on a charge that he assaulted a locksmith during a payment dispute recently at Gothard’s home.
According to an East Point police spokesman, Gothard was arrested at his house on Neely Avenue and charged with battery after police were called to the home June 8.
The Ward A councilman had called locksmith Sabtay Sana after he locked himself outside. The report said Sana told Gothard he would only accept a payment of cash or by credit card, but Gothard insisted on paying the locksmith with a check.
The argument turned physical, police spokesman Lt. Cliff Chandler told the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Tuesday.
“Based on the witnesses we interviewed and the crime scene, it was determined that Mr. Gothard was the primary aggressor," Chandler said. "He was taken into custody and charged with battery.”
Efforts to reach Gothard, who was released on his own recognizance later that evening, were unsuccessful Tuesday.
In a statement, the councilman’s attorney, Ronald Freeman Sr., called the incident “a private dispute with a contractor.”
“Councilman Gothard is looking forward to his day in court so that he can be vindicated in this matter,” Freeman said. “As with any allegation, there are two sides to every story and Councilman Gothard is confident that everyone will entertain both sides before rendering judgment.”
Mayor Earnestine Pittman said Tuesday that Gothard “continues to have my full support” and that she is confident he eventually will be exonerated. Pittman said she has spoken with Gothard to express her support, and that the calls she has received about the case also have been supportive.
Several postings on Gothard's Facebook page, however, sought more details about the councilman's arrest. "Care to share?" one commenter wrote.
Gothard won a Dec. 6 runoff election for the Ward A seat against incumbent Steve Bennett.
Fellow Councilman Lance Rhodes in a statement called the June 8 incident “a crime of violence” and it was “obviously a conflict of interest” for the East Point police to be involved in the case. “This should have been referred to Fulton County,” Rhodes said.
Chandler, the police spokesman, said the case may end up being referred to the county when Gothard appears before a judge next month because he is accused of a state crime instead of a violation of a municipal ordinance.
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