Reporter accuses councilman of "offensive touching" at meeting in Atlantic County
A reporter for the Press of Atlantic City signed a complaint against a Galloway Township councilman, accusing him of "offensive touching."
OUT-OF-HAND college parties were a concern at a recent council meeting in Galloway, Atlantic County, but a reporter covering the meeting had concerns about a councilman's hands there.
Donna Weaver, a reporter for the Press of Atlantic City, was covering the meeting Tuesday, and her story was posted on the paper's website at 8:39 p.m. that night. Weaver accused Councilman James McElwee, 62, of "offensive touching" about 8:30 p.m. that night, according to a complaint she signed with the Galloway Township Police Department.
The complaint did not go in detail about the alleged incident, though a notice sent out to the media through the Breaking News Network early yesterday morning said it was "captured on the building's security camera" and described McElwee as "allegedly sexually harassing" Weaver.
Weaver, 32, did not return requests for comment yesterday and an editor at the newspaper declined to comment. McElwee, who is up for re-election, also declined to comment when reached by phone.
According to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office, the accusation is considered a petty disorderly persons offense, subject to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.
The Galloway Township Municipal Court did not make a finding of probable cause, the prosecutor's office said, and no summons has been issued to McElwee.