Prescott Valley Mayor Kell Palguta has been cited for misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct after police said a dispute over a barstool turned physical at a Prescott saloon.
The confrontation occurred around 4 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Bird Cage Saloon on Whiskey Row, FOX 10 Phoenix reported. Police said Palguta, 49, sat beside a woman while her husband was away from his seat. The men exchanged words when the husband returned.
Surveillance video showed Palguta initially move away as the other man tried to pull his stool back. Investigators said Palguta returned, placed his drink on the bar, grabbed the stool with both hands and pulled it away. He then allegedly grabbed the man’s arm and shoulder and pushed him toward the bar before employees intervened.
Police learned of the incident the next afternoon and reviewed surveillance footage and witness statements before issuing a citation Aug. 21 for misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct. Authorities have not identified the other man.
Palguta acknowledged the case in a Facebook statement before receiving the citation. He thanked the Prescott Police Department for its professionalism and said he would not debate the matter on social media or in the “court of public opinion.” “There will be an appropriate time and place for the complete circumstances surrounding the incident to be addressed,” he wrote.
The allegations surfaced less than a month after Palguta won reelection to a third term in the nonpartisan mayor’s office. Final unofficial county results showed him defeating Lawrence Neigel with 54.37% of the vote.
Palguta’s town biography says he spent years as a Prescott Valley police officer and later taught criminal justice courses at Yavapai College. Town Manager Gilbert Davidson said Prescott Valley is not involved in the case and will monitor its outcome.
Palguta has not been convicted.
