A jury has found Mayor Jim Ireton guilty of verbally assaulting the woman who was his second in command.
But the court also found that it was done without actual malice thus denying her monetary damages in the civil case.
It was a mixed ruling for the Salisbury official from a jury of four women and two men.
It allowed the city to escape having to pay former assistant city administrator Lore’ Chambers thousands of dollars in damages.
But the Salisbury Daily Times observes it validated to some extent the central assertion in the case that the mayor’s behavior crossed a line that day in July.
On his Facebook page Ireton accepted the jury’s verdict writing, “When a jury of your peers rules against you, a man is laid low.”
He said he has no plans for appeal and would return to work.
Facebook Page Post
"When a jury of your peers rules against you, a man is laid low. My thanks to the jury for their patience and time in listening to the facts put before them. The court determined that I acted without malice, and the plaintiff is awarded zero dollars. A civil assault is when the plaintiff believes that they are in imminent harm.
There will be no appeal, no more money spent on this case. I’m back to work tomorrow regardless of the outcome."
