Restraining order lifted against state representative
A State Representative asked a Cole County judge Thursday to dismiss a restraining order against a fellow representative.
Representative Courtney Curtis of Ferguson filed an ethics complaint against Rep. Michael Butler of St. Louis after a fight at Bones in Jefferson City in late January.
In the ethics complaint to House Speaker Todd Richardson, Curtis said he and Representative Butler have always had different views on several issues, but they “never had an impact on their working relationship.”
Curtis said an incident happened at a legislative reception at Bones on Tuesday.
In the letter, Curtis said he walked in and was encountered by Butler who allegedly used profanity toward him because of his stance on Right to Work.
Curtis said the two were yelling at each other when Rep. Brandon Ellington separated them.
Curtis said he left the gathering about an hour and a half after the incident and was encountered again in the alley by Butler. Curtis said Butler started to speak to him in a derogatory tone again, and then proceeded to take a swing at him.
Curtis claimed Ellington separated them again before the two went their separate ways.
In the ethics complaint, Curtis said, “This is not the first time that Rep. Butler makes me feel threatened over my ideals. Last session he tried to fight me in the House garage. Given this last altercation, however, I feel like it is necessary to file an ethics complaint against Rep. Butler today.”
Curtis filed a report with the Jefferson City Police and obtained a temporary restraining order, which prohibits Butler from coming within 100 feet of Curtis.
In the restraining order, Curtis claims, “He [Butler] tried to fight me in May 2015, and I kept walking. I’ve gone out of my way to not let personal or professional issues with each other cause a problem. Give that he started a verbal argument this time and followed through with a fight, I feel he is unstable and unpredictable.”
Representative Curtis told ABC 17 News he received multiple calls from the community asking him to take the high road.
Curtis said he and Rep. Butler will work together on another bill next week.
