State Rep. Jake Wheatley, who was cited in an incident involving a rival campaign worker in Downtown Pittsburgh, will undergo anger management training.
Mr. Wheatley, D-Hill District, will have the charge dismissed if he successfully completes the training in 90 days.
The order came during a trial Thursday for Mr. Wheatley, who was cited by Pittsburgh police in May with summary harassment for an altercation outside of a polling place.
Kyle Stewart, 30, of Brookline, who was working the polling place at Roosevelt Arms Apartments for candidate Aerion Abney on May 15, said Mr. Wheatley got into his face and chest-bumped him into a parked car.
Mr. Wheatley said he came to the polling place after he received a complaint that Mr. Stewart was harassing voters and a Wheatley poll worker. He denied any physical contact with Mr. Stewart.
Mr. Stewart denied harassing anyone. In a phone interview Thursday evening, Mr. Stewart said he was at the polling place for 14 hours that day and followed all orders that the judge of elections gave him.
“What [Mr. Wheatley’s] intentions that day, I have no idea,” Mr. Stewart said.
Mr. Wheatley beat Mr. Abney and Ebony Taylor to win the Democratic nomination for the seat he’s held since 2003.
Blaine Jones, Mr. Wheatley’s attorney, said the lawmaker was “extremely happy” with the outcome of the hearing.
Mr. Stewart said he was glad Mr. Wheatley faces some punishment, but he wants the legislator to resign.
“This wasn’t a win for anyone today,” Mr. Stewart said. “Hopefully, he’s going to learn from it.”
Andrew Goldstein: agoldstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1352.
First Published: August 24, 2018, 3:10 a.m.
