Politician's wife dumps soft drink on reporter's head at public meeting

The attack on a reporter and the subsequent aftermath has been caught on video and shared online. Photo / Twitter

The wife of a politician was arrested for assaulting a news reporter after pouring soft drink on her head and reportedly saying "she deserved that and more".

AllOnGeorgia journalist Casie Bryant was attending a county budget meeting in southern United States before the commissioner's wife stormed in and dumped the drink on her head.

The incident was partially caught on film, News.com.au.

The county commissioner, Jason Winters, is waiting for the eagerly anticipated meeting based on contentious higher taxes when he reacts to his wife, Abbey Winters, approaching the reporter.

"Oh my god," he says, as the commotion erupts off camera.

Another attendee at the meeting is heard saying: "There you go. I'm sick of it" – and Mr Winters appears to nod his head in agreement.

Ms Bryant sat still drenched and in disbelief as a woman yells, "Oh, that's classy!"

It's believed Mrs Winters was angered by a post on the reporter's Facebook page that had insinuated her husband had misused county funds for his own benefit.

Ms Bryant shared a message online she had received from someone claiming to work with Mrs Winters.

The wife of Chattooga County's sole commissioner poured a soda on a reporter's head this morning. The Summerville PD is charging Abbey Winters with simple battery and disorderly conduct. The reporter is Casie Bryant of All On Georgia. Photos courtesy of the Summerville News pic.twitter.com/V3pz6UbWY8

— Patrick Filbin (@PatrickFilbin) December 13, 2019

"Did you know that Jason Winters just returned from a trip to Paris?" the post read.

"After all he has not done for our county I find it ridiculous that he can afford fancy trips."

Local high school teacher Laura Arden was at the meeting and described the attack as "the most classless act I have ever witnessed in my whole life", according to a news report from WTVC NewsChannel 9.

"I looked just in time to see her dump it right on Casey's head," she said.

"And Casey just sat there. In fact, we were all shocked."

Despite the number of witnesses attending the meeting, Mrs Winters has claimed she "accidentally" poured the drink on the reporter's head "after stumbling/tripping near her", according to a local police report.

The commissioner's wife has been charged with simple battery and disorderly conduct.

Her husband, who has been criticised for excessive tax hikes, also claimed the attack was an accident but also said Ms Bryant "deserved what happened to her", according to WZQZ.

AllOnGeorgia owner Delvis Dutton slammed the incident in a statement released last week.

"What happened at the budget meeting was completely inappropriate, and I'm disappointed to see not only the behaviour of those involved but the excuses made for the behaviour after the fact," he said.

"The media plays an integral role in ensuring transparency, and these types of antics are dangerous to open government and a disservice to the people it serves."