NC congressman says ‘belligerent' man called police to hotel after his speech
Police responded Saturday evening to a disturbance at a hotel in downtown Asheville where Rep. Chuck Edwards was present.
Edwards, 64, a Republican from Flat Rock, is serving in his second term in Congress, representing North Carolina's furthest southwestern counties.
'I can confirm we are investigating a report of a disturbance that occurred at the embassy suites this evening,' said Rick Rice, a spokesman for the Asheville Police Department said Saturday night. 'Chuck Edwards was present during the disturbance.'
Police said there have been no arrests and no one was injured.
Edwards was scheduled to speak around 6 p.m. at a conference held by Rotary District 7670, which began Friday at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in downtown Asheville.
Edwards staff said Saturday night a statement would be forthcoming, but only provided one after McClatchy published an article about the incident.
Edwards told McClatchy in a written statement that after he spoke, he 'refused to engage with an intoxicated man that was cursing.'
'He became more belligerent and later called the police,' Edwards' statement said. 'His behavior was embarrassing to the people at the event and was duly noted by the police. To my knowledge there was no further action taken by police.'
Rice said any further information about the incident would not be available until Monday.
Edwards' district was the most heavily affected by Helene last September of any part of North Carolina and is still working to recover and rebuild.
'In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many of our Rotary families and neighbors have faced difficult times,' the conference website stated. 'But, as always, we have come together to support one another, embodying the Rotary spirit of 'Service Above Self' and truly putting 'Peace in Motion.''
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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