DC deputy mayor on leave after assault complaint

Christopher
Geldart, Deputy Mayor of District of Columbia, is on leave after he was accused
of assaulting a person. The incident happened as Geldart was walking out of a
gym with his family, according to NBC Washington. Geldart opened his car door
to put his daughter on the back seat when the door probably hit another car,
witnesses told the news outlet.

An
altercation ensued and as tempers flared a physical engagement was on the
offing when Geldart’s wife intervened, witnesses added. The complainant,
identified as gym trainer Dustin Woodward by Fox5, filed a complaint against
the deputy mayor and the accusation goes that Geldart held the “grabbed the
victim by the throat.”

Also Read | Who is Christopher Geldart, DC deputy mayor accused of assault?

A criminal
complaint was filed against Geldart at the Arlington magistrate’s office on
Monday, following which an arrest warrant was issued. Geldart turned himself in
and was released pending a preliminary hearing.

Christopher
Geldart is on personal leave from his job pending investigation, DC Mayor
Muriel Bowser said. “We take any accusations seriously and are reviewing the
matter. While it is under review, Deputy Mayor Geldart is on leave. Unfortunately,
it sounds like something that happens to a lot of people – a dispute over
something minor – and we hope it is resolved quickly,” the mayor’s office told
7News.

Geldart was
appointed deputy mayor of the District of Columbia in 2021. The long-time DC
leader has served several municipal, state and federal bodies. Prior to being
appointed deputy mayor, Geldart was director of the Department of Public Works
and DC’s operational lead during the district’s initial coronavirus response.

Christopher
Geldart is regarded as an expert in emergency management. An American history
graduate from the University of Maryland, he was put in charge of executing and
planning the management of three presidentially-declared disasters. Geldart
also spearheaded the administration’s response to Hurricane Sandy.