Prescott Valley mayor charged with misdemeanor assault after bar fight

Police say Mayor Kell Palguta tried to pull a stool out of another man's arms during a disagreement on Aug. 16 at the Bird Cage Saloon in nearby Prescott.

Palguta, 49, was issued criminal citations for misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct less than a week later. He has declined to discuss the allegations in more detail.

"There will be an appropriate time and place for the complete circumstances surrounding the incident to be addressed," he wrote Aug. 20 on social media.

The incident disrupted what was an ordinary Sunday afternoon at the Bird Cage Saloon, when Palguta got into an argument with another man, according to eyewitnesses and police.

Video footage shows that as Palguta stood up and moved away from the bar, the other man tried to pull the barstool back to where he had been sitting, the Prescott Police Department wrote in an Aug. 21 news release.

That's when Palguta approached and "took hold of the stool," police wrote.

"He is seen placing his drink on the bar, grabbing the stool with both hands, and pulling it away from the victim," police wrote. "Palguta then grabbed the victim's arm and shoulder, pushing him toward the bar."

Staff members intervened and stopped the fight, police wrote.

It's not clear what they were fighting about. Damian Hartze, an eyewitness, described the other man as a "troll" and critic of the mayor.

Mayor won't debate in 'court of public opinion'

Palguta acknowledged the incident Aug. 20 in a social media post. He referred to "an incident I was involved in at a business establishment in Prescott," without elaborating, and said he expected to receive a citation soon.

"I want to specifically recognize and thank the Prescott Police Department for the professionalism they have demonstrated throughout this process. They have a job to do, and I respect that responsibility and the legal process that follows," Palguta wrote.

"Because this is now an active legal matter, I will not debate the details through social media or the court of public opinion," he continued.

He did not return multiple requests for comment.

The allegations have made waves in Prescott Valley, a town of around 50,000 people. Palguta was re-elected to his third term as mayor in July. His office is nonpartisan.

Prescott Valley Town Manager Gilbert Davidson told The Republic his office is "aware" of the reports and has been monitoring the situation. He said the town of Prescott Valley is not involved.

"We, like you, will continue to monitor the outcome of the investigation," Davidson wrote in an email.

Locals had a mixed reaction to the incident.

Jill and Keith Redmann, co-owners of the Bird Cage Saloon, said the incident wasn't big enough to disrupt their programming: The live music performance continued uninterrupted.

The saloon turned over video footage of the incident upon a request from Prescott police, Keith Redmann said. He told The Republic he wasn't there when the fight happened but feels it's been blown out of proportion.

"People get into disagreements all the time," he said.

'It was the silliest thing'

Hartze, the eyewitness, said he spoke with Palguta and the other man involved just before the incident happened. He described a much more relaxed interaction where the people involved "laughed" at the end.

"Nobody got punched. Nobody got hit. Nobody got kicked," Hartze said. "It was the silliest thing. ... If he wasn't the mayor. ... I don't think anything comes of this."

Police haven't confirmed the identity of the other man.

In the meantime, Palguta's public comments about the incident have sparked a firestorm on social media.

"Wow! It's ridiculous that an elected official would get into such an 'altercation', no matter the circumstances," wrote Facebook user Kathie Sobelman.

"2 sides to every story. I'll wait to judge until after ALL parties have had a chance to tell their stories in court," Facebook user Peter Schneider said in a comment.