(Washington County) The mayor of Hartford is facing criminal misdemeanor charges related to an alleged incident in his capacity as a Washington County board supervisor.
The sheriff’s office says before the start of the Administrative Service Committee meeting on March 9th, Timothy Michalak was talking with another county employee. During their conversation, a concealed firearm reportedly dropped from Michalak’s waistband and fell to the floor.
State law allows people with a valid Concealed Carry Weapon permit to carry a firearm in government buildings, but they are not permitted in public safety buildings. The Washington County board meetings have been held at the sheriff’s office the past several months as the normal chambers are being remodeled.
However, if the permit is invalid, individuals cannot possess a concealed weapon in any government building. Sheriff’s officials say their investigation revealed that Michalak had an expired permit at the time of the offense.
Michalak allegedly implied to investigators that as an elected official, he believed he was exempt from the law and could carry his firearm inside police departments and the sheriff’s office.
Detectives are requesting charges of Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Carrying a Firearm in a Public Building. Each count carries up to nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine, if convicted.
