COLUMBUS – A city councilman claims that a county official physically assaulted him Tuesday during a public event at Trotter Convention Center and had to be escorted by the sheriff from the premises.

The claim is unsubstantiated.

In a Facebook Live posted Saturday afternoon, Vice Mayor Joseph Mickens, who represents Ward 2, said he and District 5 Supervisor Leroy Brooks got into an argument over the upcoming city elections after a presentation of a city-county parks plan in the Trotter’s lower level conference room. Brooks is one of four candidates running for mayor, while Mickens is facing two opponents in his reelection bid for Ward 2 councilman.

“As I turned to walk away, he grabbed me by my arm and started shouting and using profanity,” Mickens said in the Facebook video. “At that time, he was escorted out by the sheriff and another elected official.”

Brooks, who said he is aware of Mickens’ claim, acknowledged to The Dispatch the two had a disagreement over whether Brooks had recruited candidates to run against the councilman. Brooks claims Mickens threatened him but that the argument did not escalate to yelling and he did not put his hands on Mickens.

“I told him I didn’t like being threatened, and if he wanted to play hardball, it was on,” Brooks said.

Further, Sheriff Eddie Hawkins told The Dispatch he did not intervene in the argument or escort Brooks from the Trotter. Instead, he, Brooks and Board of Supervisors President Trip Hairston all left the convention center together under normal, friendly circumstances.

Nor does Hairston recall he or Hawkins escorting Brooks from the Trotter.

“That was not the case,” Hairston said. “We just happened to leave at the same time.”

Speaking to The Dispatch on Saturday evening, Mickens stuck to his story.

“I don’t care what the sheriff says,” Mickens said. “(Brooks) had gotten irate, swearing and cussing, and then he grabbed me by my arm and people saw that. He can’t get around that. Witnesses saw that.”

He would not identify any of the witnesses.

“I’m not going to give you no names because I don’t want to take it no further,” he said. “If it has to go further than this, then I’ll give names.”

Mickens would not rule out filing charges against Brooks.

“I don’t know. He had no business putting his hands on me,” Mickens said. “I’m talking to the chief (of police Joseph Daughtry). I don’t know what my options are going to be right now.”

Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.