McKeesport Councilman Accused Of Pulling Gun In Campaign Sign Argument

**Paradigm** · June 16th, 2009, 07:49 AM

If this is true, file it under "That's Messed Up, Right There..."

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/...15/detail.html

McKEESPORT, Pa. -- City Councilman Paul Shelly was arrested on charges that he pulled a gun on a McKeesport business owner who wouldn't post his campaign sign.

Ed Batista, of Eddie's Dry Cleaners, told WTAE Channel 4's Sheldon Ingram that the alleged incident happened Saturday at his store on Walnut Street.

"I said, 'Shelly, you need help, you's a sick puppy,' and he said, 'Im'a show you what a sick man I am,' and he went around his waist and took out either a 9 mm or a 380 -- they both look alike -- and he pointed it at me," Batista said.

Shelly was arrested a short time later in the 1200 block of Patterson Avenue, police said.

Shelly was charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person. He spent the weekend in jail and was released after posting $10,000 bail.

Batista said he refused to post Shelly's sign because he thought people who don't like Shelly would stop coming to his store and he would lose business.

To be honest, something doesn't smell right. Yes, politicians can do dumb things, but it usually involves a call girl or embezzlement. But pull a gun over a campaign sign?

All it takes is one false report to stick in the minds of voters and the guy gets dumped in November.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out...

**wa3ra** · June 16th, 2009, 05:18 PM

Something just smells wrong here...

**Paradigm** · June 16th, 2009, 08:49 PM

One funny part of the story...

You'll note that the reporter conveniently "forgot" to list the councilman's party affiliation? Anyone want to guess? No going to his website and cheating, now...

**sjohn26** · June 16th, 2009, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Paradigm

One funny part of the story...

You'll note that the reporter conveniently "forgot" to list the councilman's party affiliation? Anyone want to guess? No going to his website and cheating, now...

Current

* City Councilman at City Of McKeesport
* President at Tiger Performance Group

Past

* Volunteer Grassroots Organizer at Obama for America
* Program Manager, Public Sector at COGENT Infotech
* account manager at Unicentric

'Nuff said............................................