Member of council under investigation

Blount accused of threatening, touching colleague.

A Stockbridge city council member is under investigation after allegedly threatening another council member following a meeting earlier this month, police said.

John Blount is accused of threatening and physically touching Elton Alexander after an executive session meeting Nov. 12, according to a Henry County police incident report.

As of Tuesday afternoon, no charges had been filed but the investigation continues, Henry County police spokesman Capt. Joey Smith said.

Blount said he’s innocent of all of the allegations, and he said that “this is just another attempt against my character by Mr. Alexander.”

Alexander told police that he left the session when the council began to discuss some personnel issues, and while he was leaving, Blount “directed some comments toward him” that he ignored.

When he returned to retrieve his stuff after the meeting finished, Alexander said Blount stood behind him, stopping him from leaving, the report said. Alexander said Blount “then bumped him with his stomach and began to threaten him.”

Blount is accused of saying, “I had enough of you. I am going to handle it like a man and take care of you right now,” before getting in Alexander’s face, the report said.

Alexander and Blount then got into an elevator to leave along with a Henry County police officer after the officer was told about the alleged incident, the report said.

After a tense elevator ride, they both left the building, the report said. As Blount was leaving, he allegedly said, “This is not over. You don’t know who you are dealing with. I’ve been a man for 50-plus years now.”

Alexander said cameras in the chambers should have recorded the incident, but the video isn’t available, police said.

Said Blount, “The Henry County Police Department is doing their investigation and (I) will allow them the respect to do so without any interruptions.”

Alexander said a similar incident happened last year, the report said. He said Mayor Anthony Ford, City Attorney Mike Williams, City Clerk Vanessa Holiday, Councilman Alphonso Thomas and Mayor Pro Tem Lakeisha Gantt were all present during that incident.

According to the report, Alexander said he is pursuing charges against Blount since this was the second time something like this happened between them.