Friday Jul 25

Belmont vice mayor may face charges

DA to decide on prosecution by Aug. 11

By Will Oremus / Daily News Staff Writer

Belmont Vice Mayor Bill Dickenson intends to keep his position on the city council after being jailed on suspicion of domestic battery.

"This has nothing to do with my role in Belmont as an elected official," Dickenson said Thursday. "I will not let mistruths tarnish my reputation."

Redwood City police were called to the RWC Underground Pub at 4:30 p.m. on July 11 by Dickenson's ex-girlfriend, who runs the business with him.

"They had an argument, Mr. Dickenson grabbed the victim's purse, swung her to the ground and told her she couldn't leave," said police Capt. Chris Cesena. He said the woman's left arm and armpit were bruised, and her right shoulder was scratched.

Dickenson, 41, was arrested and held at San Mateo County Jail until about midnight.

The case has been forwarded to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office for review by its domestic violence unit. Because it involves a high-profile individual, top officials in the office will review the final decision on whether to prosecute, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

That doesn't mean Dickenson will get special treatment, Wagstaffe added.

"We deal with this the same way we do if it's John Q. Public out in the street," he said.

Dickenson said he was the one attacked in the altercation. He said he was trying to end their business partnership when she got angry and hit him in the head with her purse.

"I did not touch her, I did not grab her, I did not have any physical contact with her," he said.

Dickenson added he believes his ex-girlfriend called the police in order to blackmail him into staying in business with her.

The district attorney's office has until Aug. 11 to decide whether to prosecute.

After that, Dickenson said, "Hopefully we can get back on to topics like why San Mateo County doesn't have a trauma center."

Belmont Mayor Warren Lieberman said he didn't know the details of Dickenson's arrest but hopes it proves not to be a serious issue.

"Bill has been a very effective councilman, and I have a lot of respect for him," Lieberman said.



Bay Area News Group Staff Writer Michael Manekin contributed to this report.



E-mail Will Oremus at woremus@dailynewsgroup.com.