Police have charged a Rankin councilman with harassing and assaulting a borough public works foreman who the official alleged was using municipal equipment for personal gain.
Eastern Regional Mon Valley police, which patrols Rankin, on Monday charged Councilman James Weems, 53, with simple assault, making terroristic threats and other offenses stemming from a confrontation with Marcus Clay.
Clay called police around 9:35 a.m. on May 20 after the councilman confronted workers cutting grass at what Clay called his “side job,” according to a criminal complaint.
The workers, who authorities have not named, said Weems accused them of “using borough equipment.”
Police did not address that accusation in the complaint.
Two workers called Clay to the 5th Avenue site, the complaint said. When Clay, who had called off from work that day, arrived where the workers were cutting grass, Weems “immediately became verbally abusive,” the complaint said.
Police said Weems was yelling so loudly at one point that neighbors came out of their homes to see what was going on.
Weems allegedly cursed at Clay and was “taunting him into fighting,” the complaint said.
“I’m your boss,” Weems yelled at Clay, according to the complaint.
Weems “jumped into (Clay’s) face,” the complaint said. The men were standing so close together their noses were touching, according to police.
Weems then pushed Clay, who lost his balance, police said. A neighbor intervened to stop the conflict.
Neither Weems nor Clay returned phone calls.
Officials — including the mayor, Eastern Regional Mon Valley police chief, borough manager and secretary, and borough solicitor — have not responded this week to multiple phone calls and emails seeking comment.
Clay remained listed Tuesday as a “Public Works Laborer Foreman” on the borough’s website. Multiple Rankin officials did not return calls or emails seeking information about Clay’s employment.
Weems’ attorney was not listed Tuesday in court records. His preliminary hearing in district court is scheduled for July 9.