Washington, D.C.’s deputy mayor for public safety is on leave as the city looks into an alleged assault that took place in Arlington, Virginia.
Chris Geldart, 53, of Falls Church, Virginia, who has been deputy mayor under Mayor Muriel Bowser since January 2021, allegedly got into a verbal dispute with a man after he opened his car door into the victim’s vehicle, according to an Arlington County Police Department report.
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The incident, which occurred at about 12:25 p.m. in the 3900 block of Wilson Boulevard in Arlington in a Gold’s Gym parking lot, was reported later at 5:22 p.m.
“The dispute escalated, during which the suspect allegedly grabbed the victim by the throat,” according to the incident summary.
Geldart has been charged with alleged assault and battery. He received a phone call alerting him to a warrant for his arrest and turned himself in. He was released on a promise to appear in court or a summons.
The mayor’s office wrote in a statement that it is taking the accusation seriously and reviewing the matter.
“While it is under review, Deputy Mayor Geldart is on leave,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, it sounds like something that happens to a lot of people — a dispute over something minor — and we hope it is resolved quickly.”
In D.C. today.
Response from the Mayor’s office to @thesierrafox after: https://t.co/HhGz5NIhAr pic.twitter.com/Ww4g2HzWqU— Stephanie Ramirez (@RamirezReports) October 5, 2022
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This is not Geldart’s first controversy. Prior to working as deputy mayor, he led the Washington Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency from 2012 and 2017. However, he resigned after a report from the Office of the Inspector General discovered that he had committed ethical violations, including using his public office to secure work for the company of his then-girlfriend, who is now his wife.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the mayor’s office for comment.
