DELTONA, Fla. – A Deltona city commissioner is now facing an accusation of battery after she patted a fellow commissioner on the shoulder this week, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
In a non-arrest affidavit, a deputy said he responded to city hall in response to the battery complaint, which apparently stemmed from the Monday city commission meeting.
At the time, a discussion reportedly broke out over City Commissioner Dori Howington and her secondary employment with the Volusia County Clerk’s Office, specifically about whether it created a conflict of interest.
“Commissioner Santiago made a motion for the City Attorney to begin an investigation, and the motion passed,” the affidavit reads. “Following this, Commissioner Howington displayed an angry demeanor and was heard mumbling the statement, ‘I’m going to get that (expletive).’”
But on Tuesday morning, an argument erupted after Howington told Santiago to sign a form from the clerk’s office, during which Howington allegedly said, “I know where you live,” deputies noted.
“Commissioner Santiago reported feeling threatened due to this statement, combined with the comment made during the previous day’s meeting,” the affidavit continues.
Shortly afterward, Howington physically patted Santiago on the shoulder, deputies added.
[BELOW: News 6 has obtained video of the incident]
While Santiago wasn’t hurt, she claimed that the behavior was part of a “pattern of ongoing and escalating aggression,” and that she now has concerns for her family’s safety, investigators said.
As a result, the responding deputy determined there was probably cause for the offenses of simple battery and threat against an elected official, with the report being sent to the State Attorney’s Office for review.
News 6 reached out to both Howington and Santiago for comment. Their responses are as follows:
“As this is an ongoing matter there is very little I can say except that I cannot believe that my fellow commissioner would involve the Sheriff’s Office in such a trivial matter. It seems petty, vindictive, and above all political. I am certain that our Sheriff’s Office has better things to do than follow up on political disputes.”
District 4 Commissioner Dori Howington
“As elected officials, we take an oath to support, protect, and defend the Constitution and the government of the United States and the State of Florida. That oath carries a higher level of responsibility and accountability. When an elected official violates the law, it is a serious matter.
During a commission meeting, while I was actively performing my duties, I was verbally attacked and threatened by another commissioner, Dori Howington, who serves as CFO for the Clerk of Court in Volusia County and as a Deltona City Commissioner. During the meeting, she shouted, ‘I am going to get that (expletive)!’ which was both alarming and inappropriate. The following morning, she approached me aggressively, stated, ‘I know where you live,’ and subjected me to unwanted physical contact. It is unclear to me why an elected official would engage in this type of behavior in violation of the law.
This conduct is not only inappropriate, but it is also a clear violation of the law and our code of conduct.
I did not provoke this situation. I was fulfilling my responsibilities, and I have the right to do so in a safe and respectful environment. Threats and unwanted physical contact are against the law. That is why I stated clearly: “Do not touch me.”
I have met with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, and they are currently investigating this incident. I hope that their findings will be referred to the State Attorney’s Office for further consideration.
Regarding the motion, it was based on the auditor’s report, which specifically identified a related disclosure and outlined a potential conflict of interest. My intention was simply to request that the Florida Commission on Ethics review the matter and provide an opinion. That is part of ensuring transparency and accountability."
District 2 Commissioner Emma Santiago
The State Attorney’s Office will now decide whether any charges will be filed.