Oct 8, 2008 10:40 am US/Central
Ald. Munoz Involved In Scuffle In Office
Man Claims Alderman Tried To Push Him Down Stairs
CHICAGO (STNG) ―
A man filed a police report late Tuesday alleging Ald. Ricardo Munoz (22nd) tried to push him down a flight of stairs Monday afternoon at the alderman's Little Village office.
The report said the man -- a constituent, teacher and political organizer -- claimed he went to the office at 2500 S. St. Louis Ave. to present petitions to the alderman about 5:30 p.m. Monday, according to a police source.
The man said he continued to try to talk with Munoz, but the alderman refused to listen and became irritated, the source said.
The alderman allegedly grabbed the man's jacket with both hands and attempted to throw him down a flight of stairs, according to the source, who said the man's iPhone captured the incident on video.
Ald. Munoz confirmed early Wednesday "an altercation" with a constituent who became "very belligerent" after he sneaked into a private part of the office.
"There was an altercation where there was a constituent who didn't have an appointment," Munoz said. "There was some pushing back and forth at the door [on the second floor]."
Munoz said the constituent "basically forced" himself in and insisted he had an appointment when he did not.
No one was injured, and the man was not thrown down the stairs, but police said the altercation may still be considered a battery.
The police report was filed late Tuesday night and no charges have been filed against Munoz early Wednesday.
(Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2008. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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