The state's treasurer did not show up for work Wednesday but did go to the prosecuting attorney's office to file a complaint against a Little Rock attorney after an altercation during a Tuesday deposition.
A spokesman for Arkansas Treasurer Dennis Milligan said Milligan sought medical attention after he was shoved by attorney Luther Sutter, according to police reports. Because of pain in his right arm, Milligan stayed home and put his arm in a sling, said Milligan spokesman Grant Wallace.
Wallace said Milligan followed a suggestion from Little Rock police officers who took a report Wednesday morning, and the treasurer went to the Pulaski County prosecutor's office to file a complaint against Sutter. The prosecutor's office, which will review the case and decide whether to file charges, didn't return a call for comment.
Wallace said he did not know when Milligan would be able to return to work.
According to police reports, the altercation between Milligan and Sutter began over the utterance of a curse word during a deposition in a lawsuit filed by Sutter against Milligan on behalf of an employee who was fired from Milligan's office.
That employee, David Singer, filed suit last May, alleging that Milligan and his chief of staff, Jim Harris, defamed him.
On Wednesday, Sutter walked into the deposition while on the phone and uttered the curse word, according to the police report. Witnesses told police that Milligan told Sutter that such language wouldn't be tolerated while Milligan's wife, Tina, was in the room.
Sutter told officers that he apologized to Milligan's wife and that Milligan was "upset, stood up" and came around the table at him. Sutter said he pushed Milligan back and that Milligan also pushed him.
On Wednesday, Sutter was astounded that Milligan sought criminal charges in what the attorney described as a "shoving match."
"All I did was push the gentleman away from me when he came at me the second time," Sutter said. "I acted within my rights, and he is the one that initiated the physical contact."
Metro on 02/11/2016