Atlantic City’s mayor and a city councilman are under investigation for a fight—captured on video—they had at an Atlantic City casino nightclub.
The altercation outside the Haven Nightclub at Golden Nugget Atlantic City was captured on video, recently released by the Press of Atlantic City, and shows Mayor Frank Gilliam exchanging punches with an unidentified individual and Councilman Jeffree Fauntleroy tossing another man to the ground from behind.
The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General told the Press it had transferred the investigation to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office to “avoid any potential perception of a conflict of interest.”
Gilliam’s office has confirmed he has hired a lawyer, but would not comment on the case.
The alleged fight took place November 11 and complaints of simple assault and harassment were signed against Gilliam and Fauntleroy on November 14. So far no charges have been filed or arrests made in the incident. The complaints will be addressed in North Wildwood Municipal Court on December 11.
Following reporting of the altercation, the Atlantic City Democratic Committee called an emergency meeting and voted overwhelmingly to denounce Gilliam and Fauntleroy and calling for Gov. Phil Murphy or Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver to suspend or remove both city officials from their positions until the legal process is resolved.
In a statement Oliver said the state will wait until the end of the criminal process to conduct an administrative review.
