News Summary
Spartanburg County Councilmember Monier Abusaft has been cleared of third-degree assault and battery charges stemming from an incident last year involving a local resident. The dismissal followed an evidentiary hearing where inconsistencies in the evidence presented by the city were highlighted. Abusaft plans to pursue legal action against the city for what he describes as malicious prosecution. This case has raised questions about the handling of allegations against public officials amid the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene’s aftermath.
Spartanburg, South Carolina – Spartanburg County Councilmember Monier Abusaft has been cleared of third-degree assault and battery charges nearly a year after an incident that occurred on September 27, 2024. The decision to dismiss the charges came during an evidentiary hearing on September 19, 2025.
Abusaft was arrested by police on April 2, 2025, following accusations that he shoved a trash can into Ken Clark, a local resident, during a dispute regarding access to a road blocked by downed trees after Hurricane Helene, which caused widespread damage in the area. Witnesses reported that Abusaft drove his truck onto Clark’s property and attempted to remove trash cans that were being used as barricades.
During the confrontation, Ken Clark claimed that Abusaft threatened him and implied that he possessed a firearm. A video recorded by bystander Kiara Franco captured the confrontation without audio, leaving the context of the argument somewhat unclear. However, contradictions arose during the hearing when Clark testified that he stumbled but did not fall, contradicting statements made in the police warrant affidavit.
The city faced challenges in finding an independent agency to investigate the case due to a conflict of interest, as several local police departments and the State Law Enforcement Division declined to take the case. Consequently, the city hired a private attorney to prosecute the matter. City Attorney Bob Coler pointed out that there were conflicts of interest involved, but city officials did not accept that explanation.
In light of the evidentiary hearing’s outcomes, it became apparent that the city’s evidence was inconsistent and that critical elements supporting Abusaft’s defense had been omitted from the initial warrant. After the dismissal of charges, Abusaft expressed his intention to pursue legal action against the city for what he labels as malicious prosecution.
Throughout this ordeal, Spartanburg County Council Chairman Manning Lynch noted that Abusaft’s arrest was not anticipated to influence his position on the council. Abusaft, who has held his council seat since 2021, is recognized as the only Democrat serving on the county’s broader council.
This incident has unfolded amidst a critical period for Spartanburg County, which has been dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The storm left significant disruption and damage, highlighting the community’s vulnerabilities and the impact such events can have on local governance and public safety.
The incident and subsequent legal proceedings have raised various questions about how local authorities handle allegations against public officials, particularly in situations involving potential conflicts of interest. The ability of local governments to ensure fair investigations and prosecutions remains a subject of public interest and concern.
As more details continue to emerge regarding the handling of the case, the implications for Monier Abusaft and the Spartanburg County Council will likely remain an important topic within community discussions.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Abusaft Assault Charge Dismissed
- Wikipedia: Monier Abusaft
- Fox Carolina: Councilman Charged with Assault
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Assault
- GoUpstate: Abusaft Charged with Assault
- Google Search: Spartanburg Council Monier Abusaft
- WSPA: Councilman Arrested for Assault
- Google News: Spartanburg Council Incident
- WYFF: Council Member Arrested
- Google Scholar: Monier Abusaft
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
