BIG BEND — A high-ranking village employee could face criminal charges after an altercation with a resident at Big Bend Village Park on Wednesday.
Eric Pedersen, head of the town’s Public Works Department, was arrested and later booked into the Waukesha County Jail on charges of assault, disorderly conduct, destruction of property and misconduct of a public servant stemming from the incident, Big Bend police officials said in a Facebook post Thursday.
The nature of the altercation was not stated, nor did police specify who else was involved. Police said they would not provide any further comment or information until the investigation was complete.
Pedersen, who has been suspended according to police, is expected to appear in court on Friday.
Pedersen previously faced disciplinary action in 2019 over allegations of sexual harassment, when he was suspended for 10 days for multiple incidents with women. The perceived leniency of that punishment led a village clerk and treasurer to resign shortly thereafter.
Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Big Bend police arrest DPW chief after scuffle in park
