Arkansas Treasurer Dennis Milligan is currently recovering from injuries allegedly inflicted by an attorney, according to spokesman Grant Wallace. Milligan came into his office briefly Wednesday with one arm in a sling, Wallace said, before leaving to file a formal complaint and go home to rest.
On Wednesday morning, Milligan was scheduled to hold with the AR 529 Board meeting to conduct routine business according to a media advisory.
KATV attended the meeting, however Milligan was not present, with Wallace saying he would be conducting the meeting instead.
When asked why Milligan was not in attendance to conduct his meeting during state office hours, Wallace said:
Treasurer Milligan came into the office briefly this morning and then went to the Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney's office per the advice given to him by the Little Rock police (as noted in the police report). Yesterday afternoon he sought medical attention and his right arm is currently in a sling. He has gone home to continue to recover.
Wallace also asked to forward this statement from Milligan to Channel 7 News:
Per the advice of the Little Rock Police Department, this morning I met with and filed a complaint with the Pulaski County Prosecutor against Mr. Luther Sutter seeking to have him charged with battery in the 3rd degree. This is an ongoing investigation and now it is a matter of waiting for the processes to work.
KATV reached out to the Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney's complaint department and requested a copy of the complaint, however, Leigh Patterson, Division Chief of the Circuit Court, said they cannot confirm or deny any on-going business.
Attorney Luther Sutter released this statement to KATV:
I respect the process and I look forward to dealing with any disagreement Mr. Milligan may have with me. When you rush someone you should expect to be pushed back.
Sutter's attorney, David Littlejohn, released this statement:
I rely on the process, and now it's time to let the Pulaski County Prosecutor handle their end of the process. I'm expecting these parties at the highest level of state government to handle this maturely.
ORIGINAL REPORT, TUESDAY, FEB. 9:
Arkansas Treasurer of State Dennis Milligan claims to be the victim of battery by the opposing attorney while in a deposition Tuesday morning.
According to a Little Rock Police Department report, an LRPD officer was called to the 400 block of W. Capital Ave., just after 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
The report states the officer met with Dennis Milligan, who reported that while he was in a deposition, the opposing attorney, Luther Sutter, cussed. Milligan then told Sutter to not use that kind of language in front of his wife.
Milligan says Sutter then said, "why don't you come over here," and the two met halfway around the table. Milligan alleges Sutter shoved him, causing him to have "chest pains," but Milligan refused medical assistance.
The officer then spoke with Sutter, who initially was not going to give a statement, but later said he said "sh**," but realized Tina Milligan was in the room and apologized. That's when Sutter says Milligan "became upset" and said Sutter would not use that kind of language in front of his wife.
Sutter says Dennis Milligan then came around the table towards him, and he pushed Milligan back. Sutter alleges Milligan also pushed him.
The responding officer also spoke with five reported witnesses, four of which gave statements. The four witnesses, one of which was Dennis Milligan's wife, Tina, all reported hearing Sutter cuss, before the two met around the table.
All witnesses reported that Sutter pushed Milligan, and that Milligan did not see him push Sutter back, though one witness did say Milligan did have his "hands come up," but she "did not know if Milligan shoved Sutter."
Milligan's attorney Byron Freeland says they have no comment.
Sutter's attorney, David Littlejohn, released the following statement:
My client was on his cellphone and said the word shit in Ms. Milligan's presence during the conversation on the cell phone. He immediately apologized, but the Treasurer became irate. Mr. Sutter responded, and the Treasurer rushed around the table toward Mr. Sutter in a threatening manner, with Mr. Harris following him. The Treasurer and Mr. Sutter touched, and Mr. Sutter eventually pushed the Treasurer away from him in self defense. Mr. Sutter did not advance toward the Treasurer. The attack and subsequent filing of the police report is at least the third time Mr. Milligan and Mr. Harris have attempted to charge Mr. Sutter criminally, or his clients. Mr. Milligan has a patter and practice of threatening circuit judges, political opponents, and people who seek to hold him accountable.
